80% of the Lactate Produced by Skeletal Muscle is Converted

Question

80% of the lactate produced by skeletal muscle is converted to pyruvate by the __________.
A) kidneys
B) liver
C) muscle tissue
D) sarcoplasmic reticulum
E) neuromuscular junction

Accepted Answer

The liver is responsible for converting the majority of lactate produced by skeletal muscle into pyruvate through a process called the Cori cycle. This pyruvate can then be used for energy or converted to glucose through gluconeogenesis. Other tissues, such as the kidneys and heart, can also convert lactate to pyruvate, but to a lesser extent.