How to Convert Pyruvate to Lactate
Things You'll Need
- Pyruvate
- Lactate dehydrogenase enzyme
- Anaerobic (low oxygen) environment
- 2 Hydrogen atoms
Instructions
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Converting Pyruvate to Lactate
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1
Lactate dehydrogenase only converts pyruvate. Pyruvate attaches to the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. This enzyme will only convert pyruvate.
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2
The enzyme causes a reaction by holding pyruvate and NADH close to each other. NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) also attaches to the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme. The NADH and pyruvate are now close to each other.
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3
Hydrogen molecules attach to the pyruvate, turning it into lactate. Two hydrogens leave the NADH and attach to the pyruvate. This turns pyruvate into lactate and converts NADH to NAD.
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4
Lactate leaves the muscles and enters the blood. Lactate travels out of the muscle and into the bloodstream.
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5
Lactate is either broken down for fuel by the heart muscle, or travels back to the liver to be recycled into pyruvate.
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