Now, sometimes in those cells that don't have mitochondria, or in those cells that are experiencing hypoxia, so a lack of oxygen, they cannot actually break down the Pyruvate in the citric acid cycle of the mitochondria. So instead of using that, they switch to anaerobic respiration. So in anaerobic respiration, which takes place entirely in the cytoplasm, we essentially undergo glycolysis to form the ATP molecules and the Pyruvate molecules. But then to regenerate the much needed NAD plus coenzymes, the Pyruvate is transformed into lactic acid. And under our conditions, under physiological conditions of the cells of our body, lactic acid associates into its conjugate based lactate and the h plus ions. And that's why our cells produce lactate.