NEET
- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Botany
- Chapter
- Respiration in Plants
NEET · Botany · Respiration in Plants
Which enzyme catalyses the reduction of pyruvic acid to lactic acid...
Which enzyme catalyses the reduction of pyruvic acid to lactic acid in animal cells?
Options
- APyruvic acid decarboxylase
- BLactate dehydrogenase
- CAlcohol dehydrogenase
- DPyruvate kinase
Correct answer
B. Lactate dehydrogenase
Step-by-step solution
In fermentation, say by yeast, the incomplete oxidation of glucose is achieved under anaerobic conditions by sets of reactions where pyruvic acid is converted to CO₂ and ethanol. The enzymes, pyruvic acid decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase catalyse these reactions. Other organisms like some bacteria produce lactic acid from pyruvic acid. The steps involved are shown in Figure 12.2. In animal cells also, like muscles during exercise, when oxygen is inadequate for cellular respiration pyruvic acid is reduced to lactic acid by lactate dehydrogenase. The reducing agent is NADH+H⁺ which is reoxidised to NAD+ in both the processes.