What is the process of converting lactic acid back into pyruvate called?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A) Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate. B) Gluconeogenesis is the process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. C) The Cori cycle is the process by which lactic acid produced by anaerobic metabolism in muscles is transported to the liver and converted back into glucose or pyruvate. D) Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which ATP is synthesized using energy derived from the transfer of electrons in the electron transport chain.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To balance the chemical equation, we need to ensure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation. In this case, there are 10 oxygen atoms on the right side (5 in CO2 and 5 in H2O). To balance this, we need to add a coefficient of 6 in front of O2 on the left side, resulting in 6 O2 molecules. This change will give us a total of 12 oxygen atoms on both sides, making the equation balanced. Choice A (5) is incorrect because it does not account for all the oxygen atoms present in the products. Choices C (7) and D (8) are incorrect as they would result in an imbalance in the number of oxygen atoms on both sides of the equation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the given reaction, the complete ionic equation is: 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l) + Ba2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq). Spectator ions (Ba2+ and Cl-) do not participate in the net ionic equation, which simplifies to: 2H+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) → 2H2O(l). This equation represents the significant species involved in the reaction, showcasing the formation of water from the combination of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions, resulting in the production of water molecules.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid because it completely ionizes in water to produce hydrogen ions, leading to a high concentration of H⁺ ions in solution. This characteristic makes it a strong acid. Acetic acid (CH₃COOH), citric acid, and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) are weak acids as they only partially ionize in water, resulting in a lower concentration of H⁺ ions compared to strong acids. Therefore, hydrochloric acid is the correct choice as a strong acid.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Neutralization is the correct term for the reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt. During neutralization, the hydrogen ions from the acid react with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water, and the remaining ions combine to form a salt. Combustion involves a reaction with oxygen, oxidation is the loss of electrons, and decomposition is the breakdown of a compound into simpler substances. These processes do not accurately describe the reaction between an acid and a base to produce water and a salt.