Question

When does pyruvate get converted to lactate?

Answer 1

Pyruvate is converted into lactate under anaerobic conditions.

Explanation:

Glucose is most common respiratory substrate.
Glycolysis is common to both aerobic and anaerobic respiration . Glucose is converted into pyruvate during glycolysis.

Pyruvate is converted into acetyl co enzyme A under aerobic conditions that enters Kreb's cycle and is completely oxidised to `CO2` and `H2O`.

Pyruvate is converted into lactate or ethanol under anaerobic conditions.
It is converted into lactate in presence of enzyme lactic dehydrogenase.
It is converted into ethanol in presence of enzyme alcoholic dehydrogenase.