lactic acid

Friendly

Lactic Acid (noun)

Definition: Lactic acid is a clear, odorless liquid that is a type of acid. It is often found in sour milk and many fruits. It has a sweet taste and is used in food and in the body during exercise.

Basic Explanation:

• Appearance: Lactic acid looks like a thick syrup and does not have a strong smell.
• Source: It is produced when certain sugars break down, especially when there is not enough oxygen, like during intense exercise.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use the term "lactic acid" when talking about food, especially fermented products like yogurt, or when discussing the body's processes during exercise.

Example:

• "After running for a long time, I felt a burning sensation in my muscles because of the buildup of lactic acid."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific discussions, you might hear about lactic acid in relation to its role in metabolism or its effects on muscle fatigue.

Word Variants:

• Lactate: This is the salt or ester of lactic acid. It can also refer to the form of lactic acid that is present in the body during exercise.
• Lactic: This is the adjective form, used to describe something related to lactic acid, like "lactic fermentation."

Different Meanings:

• Lactic acid primarily refers to the acid itself, but in a broader biological context, it can relate to metabolic processes or muscle function.

Synonyms:

• There are not many direct synonyms for lactic acid; however, terms related to its functions include "fermentation acid" and "milk acid."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically involving "lactic acid," but you might hear phrases related to "lactic acid buildup," which refers to the accumulation of lactic acid in muscles during exercise.

Conclusion:

Understanding lactic acid is important in both nutrition and physical fitness. It helps explain why muscles may feel sore after exercise and is also widely used in food production.

Academic

Noun

1. a clear odorless hygroscopic syrupy carboxylic acid found in sour milk and in many fruits