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Multiple Choice
In muscle cells, fermentation produces which of the following as a main end product?
A
Acetyl-CoA
B
Lactic acid
C
Ethanol
D
Oxygen
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context of the problem: Fermentation is an anaerobic process (occurs without oxygen) that allows cells to produce energy when oxygen is scarce. Muscle cells specifically rely on this process during intense activity.
Recall the types of fermentation: There are two main types of fermentation—lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation. Muscle cells perform lactic acid fermentation, while yeast cells perform alcoholic fermentation.
Identify the main end product of lactic acid fermentation: In muscle cells, pyruvate (produced during glycolysis) is converted into lactic acid to regenerate NAD⁺, which is essential for glycolysis to continue producing ATP.
Eliminate incorrect options: Acetyl-CoA is involved in aerobic respiration, ethanol is a product of alcoholic fermentation (not lactic acid fermentation), and oxygen is not produced during fermentation—it is absent in anaerobic conditions.
Conclude that the correct answer is lactic acid, as it is the main end product of fermentation in muscle cells.