Lactic acid production occurs during anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is scarce. Which condition is most closely associated with this process?

Lactic acid production occurs during anaerobic metabolism when oxygen is scarce. Which condition is most closely associated with this process?

• A. Metabolic acidosis
• B. Respiratory acidosis
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Respiratory alkalosis

Answer: (A)

When oxygen is scarce, cells switch to anaerobic glycolysis, converting pyruvate to lactate to keep glycolysis running and generate a little ATP. The lactate builds up and lowers the pH of the blood, producing metabolic acidosis. This lactate-driven acidosis is a metabolic, not a respiratory, disturbance. The other options involve either CO2 balance (respiratory) or shifts in hydrogen/bicarbonate that raise pH (alkalosis), not the acid produced from anaerobic metabolism. So the condition most closely tied to lactic acid production under low oxygen is metabolic acidosis.

When oxygen is scarce, cells switch to anaerobic glycolysis, converting pyruvate to lactate to keep glycolysis running and generate a little ATP. The lactate builds up and lowers the pH of the blood, producing metabolic acidosis. This lactate-driven acidosis is a metabolic, not a respiratory, disturbance. The other options involve either CO2 balance (respiratory) or shifts in hydrogen/bicarbonate that raise pH (alkalosis), not the acid produced from anaerobic metabolism. So the condition most closely tied to lactic acid production under low oxygen is metabolic acidosis.