Biology GCSE
lactic acid
What lactic acid means in Biology GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of lactic acid
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain lactic acid in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
The product of anaerobic respiration in muscles, formed when glucose is broken down without oxygen during vigorous exercise.
A substance that builds up when muscles respire anaerobically during intense exercise and accumulates in muscles.
A substance that builds up when anaerobic respiration occurs, causing muscle fatigue.
In mammalian muscle tissue, anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid.
Topics that use lactic acid
- Response to exercise (AQA GCSE)
- Respiration (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Aerobic respiration
- Anaerobic respiration
- glycogen
- Anaerobic respiration and lactic acid production
- Breath volume
- Cellular respiration
- Energy transfer
- exothermic reaction
Using lactic acid in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Biology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All Biology GCSE termsA week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge