An athlete experiences muscle fatigue due to anaerobic metabolism during a sprint. Which process is responsible for the increased acidity in muscle cells?

💡 Explanation

Lactic acid fermentation regenerates NAD+ during anaerobic metabolism, which is necessary to sustain glycolysis. Because lactic acid is produced, this lowers the pH of the muscle cells, therefore accumulation of lactic acid leads to increased acidity, rather than other metabolic byproducts accumulating significantly.

• A protein destined for the mitochondrial matrix contains a targeting sequence. Which outcome occurs when the TOM/TIM complex malfunctions in protein import?
• If a small group of finches colonizes a remote, previously uninhabited island, which evolutionary outcome becomes more pronounced?
• Which mechanism explains why damaged mitochondria trigger cellular self-destruction (apoptosis)?
• A legume in nitrogen-poor soil forms nodules. Which benefit does the plant gain?
• What happens to plant palatability when tannin concentration increases significantly?
• If a mutation disables the G protein in olfactory sensory neurons, which consequence follows?