Which process uses glucose to produce lactic acid without oxygen?

The process that uses glucose to produce lactic acid without oxygen is anaerobic respiration. This occurs when the body is in an oxygen-limited state, such as during intense exercise, where the demand for energy exceeds the supply of oxygen available for aerobic respiration.

During this process, glucose is partially broken down to release energy, which results in the production of lactic acid as a byproduct. This allows for the continued production of ATP, the energy currency of cells, despite the lack of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration is crucial for activities that require quick bursts of energy, such as sprinting or heavy lifting.

Fermentation also produces lactic acid but is generally used in a broader context, including yeast fermentation, which does not yield lactic acid. Aerobic respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, on the other hand, rely on oxygen to fully oxidize glucose, generating carbon dioxide and water instead of lactic acid. Therefore, anaerobic respiration is the most accurate answer for the breakdown of glucose into lactic acid without oxygen.