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Title: Why doesn?t the cell simply synthesize more NAD+ to allow glycolysis to continue? Post by: SMK on Mar 6, 2013 In the conversion of glucose into two molecules of lactate (for example in muscle during exercise), the NADH generated at the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase step is oxidized back to NAD+ by lactate dehydrogenase. Why doesn?t the cell simply synthesize more NAD+ to allow glycolysis to continue?
Title: Why doesn?t the cell simply synthesize more NAD+ to allow glycolysis to continue? Post by: NurseRN on Mar 6, 2013 Well the cell would have to find the NAD purine rings in order to continually making NAD+. Eventually you would be left with a lof of NADH just sitting around with no where to go. In order to metabolize it (or get rid of it) you need to transfer the electrons off of the molecule. These have to go somewhere! Without oxygen (which is why we're making lactate) you have to find another carrier to take care of this. Eventually you would have an overload of byproducts stuck in the cell.
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