Question

In a hurdle race, which of the following is accumulated in the leg muscle?
A. Performed ATP
B. Glycolysis
C. Lactate
D. Oxidative metabolism

Answer 1

Hint: When running or doing vigorous exercises, there is a need for the body to use more oxygen so that more ATP molecules can be produced. At that time there is a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues. So, the body starts anaerobic respiration.

Complete answer:
In a hurdle race, the body is in demand for oxygen which is needed for aerobic respiration in the tissues of the body to produce ATP. This is compromised as enough oxygen is not available. This leads to anaerobic respiration in the body in which the end product formed is lactic acid. As the intensity of the run is very high so the amount of lactic acid formed in the muscles is also high. In blood, the lactate breaks down into lactate and hydrogen ions. Lactate gets used up by the mitochondria of the cells and the hydrogens ions present get accumulated in the muscle. This causes difficulty in the contraction of the muscles. Hence causing immense pain to the runner. Though this muscle pain is not permanent it causes extreme discomfort to the runner.

So, the answer is ‘lactate’, option (C).

Note:
The formation of the lactic acid in the muscles leads to the formation of lactate in the blood. The formation of lactic acid during exercise is difficult to control. But there is a huge accumulation of lactic acid whenever we run very fast. So, to reduce the amount of lactic acid formed one should do mild exercises and then proceed to the harder one. One should not run at a faster pace suddenly in order to avoid discomfort.