New Biosensors, Applied Like a Temporary Tattoo to the Skin

Multiple Choice

New biosensors, applied like a temporary tattoo to the skin, can alert endurance athletes that they are about to "hit the wall" and will find it difficult to continue exercising. These biosensors monitor lactate present in sweat during strenuous exercise. Which of the statements below best explains the use of lactate as an indicator of exercise capacity?

A) During aerobic respiration, muscle cells cannot produce enough lactate to fuel muscle cell contractions, and muscles begin to cramp, thus athletic performance suffers.
B) During anaerobic respiration, lactate levels increase when muscles cells need more energy; however, muscles cells eventually fatigue, thus athletes should modify their activities to increase aerobic respiration.
C) During aerobic respiration, muscles cells produce too much lactate, which causes a rise in the pH of the muscle cells, thus athletes must consume increased amounts of sports drinks, high in electrolytes, to buffer the pH.
D) During anaerobic respiration, muscle cells receive too little oxygen and begin to convert lactate to pyruvate (pyruvic acid) , thus athletes experience cramping and fatigue.