Hamsters Love to Run on Exercise Wheels

Hamsters love to run on exercise wheels. Prolonged running at a high rate of speed requires ATP. Could a hamster with a defective gene for the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase meet the extra ATP demand for prolonged, fast wheel-running by maintaining a high rate of glycolysis? Why or why not?

A) No, not enough NAD⁺ can be regenerated for glycolysis to continue at a high rate.
B) No, the defective gene will cause a rapid decline in pH in the muscles used for running.
C) Yes, the defective enzyme has no effect on the glycolytic pathway.
D) Yes, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase will supply the needed NAD⁺ if the lactose dehydrogenase cannot.

Correct Answer:

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