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by Spixxy on July 15th, 2004

Spixxy

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What are the functions of lactic acid?

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  • by camjam on February 12th, 2005

    camjam

    Before you know functions, you need to know some background on lactic acid...

    Your body takes in sugar (glucose) for energy. This sugar than goes into a biological pathway (series of reactions) that break it down into compounds we can use for energy, and an extra substance called pyruvic acid. If there's oxygen, it goes into aerobic respiration to produce more of these energy providing compounds, but with no oxygen, it goes into anaerobic respiration. In anaerobic respiration, no more energy-providing compounds are produced, but the pyruvic acid that was created gets conveted into another substance. It can get converted to ethyl alcohol, which we drink. However, it can also get converted into lactic acid.

    Lactic acid is a 3-carbon molecule that's made with an ENZYME + PYRUVIC ACID (from sugar breaking down). Lactic acid, as said by the last guy's answer, accumulates in muscle cells during strenuous exercise when you may not be breathing enough (Remember: with oxygen=energy, without oxygen=acid). How it works: Without oxygen, lactic acid accumulates; the acid makes it hard for cells to contract; muscle fatigue, pain, cramps.

    However, lactic acid has another function besides hurting your muscles.
    LACITC ACID creation in microorganisms (bacteria) HELPS MAKE YOGURT AND CHEESE.

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