Prepare for the Foundations of Biology Exam 1. Dive into key biological concepts with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace the exam with our efficient study methods!

Multiple Choice

In lactic acid fermentation, what happens to NADH?

The main idea is that fermentation must recycle NAD+ to keep glycolysis going without oxygen. In lactic acid fermentation, NADH donates its electrons to pyruvate via the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. This oxidizes NADH back to NAD+ and reduces pyruvate to lactate. By regenerating NAD+, glycolysis can continue to produce a small amount of ATP even when aerobic respiration isn’t possible. NADH is not turned into NADP+, not decomposed, and not converted directly into ATP; instead, its electrons are used to regenerate NAD+ while forming lactate.

The main idea is that fermentation must recycle NAD+ to keep glycolysis going without oxygen. In lactic acid fermentation, NADH donates its electrons to pyruvate via the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. This oxidizes NADH back to NAD+ and reduces pyruvate to lactate. By regenerating NAD+, glycolysis can continue to produce a small amount of ATP even when aerobic respiration isn’t possible. NADH is not turned into NADP+, not decomposed, and not converted directly into ATP; instead, its electrons are used to regenerate NAD+ while forming lactate.