When oxygen is added to an anaerobic suspension of cells consuming glucose at a high rate, the rate of glucose consumption declines dramatically as the oxygen is used up, and accumulation of lactate ceases. This effect was first observed by Louis Pasteur in the 1860s and is characteristic of most cells capable of both aerobic and anaerobic glucose catabolism.
a)Why does the accumulation of lactate cease after oxygen is added?
b)Why does the presence of oxygen decrease the rate of glucose consumption?Explain.