Yeast Will Normally Convert Pyruvate to Ethanol

question 47

Multiple Choice

Yeast will normally convert pyruvate to ethanol. Why is this better for the yeast than a conversion to lactate?

• A) Conversion to ethanol releases more NAD⁺ per mole than the conversion to lactate.
• B) The carbon atoms are more oxidized in ethanol than in lactate.
• C) Ethanol is neutral, but lactate production is accompanied by a sharp decrease in pH.
• D) Ethanol production is not better. Yeast normally produces ethanol and lactate in equilmolar amounts.

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