Chapter 24, Problem 24.81EP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To write an equation for the conversion of lactate to pyruvate in the Cori cycle that includes the structures of lactate and pyruvate.

Concept introduction: Glucose is converted to pyruvate by glycolysis metabolic pathway, pyruvate is further converted to lactate in the skeletal muscle cells by anaerobic reactions. The lactate is diffused into the bloodstream, by which it is transported to the liver. Lactate is reconverted to pyruvate. Gluconeogenesis metabolic pathway uses this pyruvate to synthesize glucose in the liver cells. Glucose is diffused into the bloodstream and is transported back to the active skeletal muscle cells. This cycle is known as the Cori cycle.

The Cori cycle is named after its discoverers, Gerty Radnitz Cori, and Carl Cori.

An overview of the Cori cycle is as follows: