Lactate and the lab practical

Question 1

what i the need to measure lactate (3)

Answer 1

• Cgive an indication of fuel metabolism (an indicator of CHO metabolism).
• to define intensity zones during exercise training.
• to show training adaptations.

Question 2

does la alter blood ph
- why?

Answer 2

• yes but only slightly due to buffering systems, eg. bicarbonate.

Question 3

why are buffering systems important

Answer 3

• because a large drop in pH would inhibit many enzymes and the contractile mechanism (i.e. during exercise at higher intensities).

Question 4

what is the lactate nad+ reaction

Answer 4

lactate plus nad+ leads to lactate being oxidised to pyruvate, an equal amount of NAD+ is reduced to NADH, and there are excess H+ protons

Question 5

how did we measure lactate

Answer 5

The absorbance of NADH can be measured at 340nm, and the amount of NADH formed is directly proportional to the lactate present