A cell is deprived of oxygen and is forced to shift to anaerobic glycolysis. Which of the following is a byproduct of this process?

Core Concept

This question requires understanding of cellular respiration and anaerobic glycolysis. In the absence of oxygen, NADH cannot be oxidized to produce ATP in the citric acid cycle. As a result, pyruvate is converted to lactic acid to regenerate NAD+ for the continuation of glycolysis. ATP is still produced in anaerobic glycolysis, but it is not a byproduct of the process. NADH is a product of glycolysis, but it is not regenerated in anaerobic glycolysis.