Question

Explain why glucose consumption must increase in hypoxic tissues to provide the same amount of ATP that could be produced from glucose in normoxic (normal O2 levels) tissues.A) Oxygen is the limiting reactant in ATP producing, so ATP is produced in hypoxic tissues slowlier than in normoxic tissuesB) In hypoxic tissues, in contrast to normoxic tissues, ATP is additionally consumed to transform lactate to pyruvate.C) In hypoxic tissues, ATP is produced only by glycolysis, whereas in normoxic tissues, the citric acid cycle + oxidative phosphorylation can be used.D) In hypoxic tissues, ATP is produced only by glycolysis, whereas in normoxic tissues, the citric acid cycle + oxidative phosphorylation can be used.

Answer 1

Answer: B. In hypoxic tissues, in contrast to normoxic tissues, ATP is additionally consumed to transform lactate to pyruvate

Explanation:

In hypoxic tissues such as new cancerous cells, the vascular system is still underdeveloped, thus oxygen supply is reduced. To meet energy need, additional glucose is needed to convert lactate (result of anaerobic glycolysis) to pyruvate which can then go into the TCA cycle to yield energy. This phenomenon is very common in muscle tissues during exercise.