DDR Anaerobic Edition
When oxygen is in short supply, cells can continue to process glucose via lactic acid fermentation.
I drove the car into the garage. The excessive grinding of the screw driven opener whined overhead. Most of the harsher high frequency sounds couldn’t get through the car window, but the deeper groan of the hinges in the door–and the slight slippage of the two massive torsion springs countering its weight–found a way into my ears.
This process allows the continued generation of adenosine triphosphate, a critical compound that reduces the activation energy of countless vital reactions, albeit at greatly reduced efficiency compared to its aerobic counterpart.
I got out of the car and slowly walked to the mailbox. More junk mail. I closed the mailbox and walked the 20 feet to the recycling bin on the curb, dropping the scientology pamphlet and the Amex mailer into its plastic depths. I wondered how far it had travelled for the chance to advertise before I ultimately reduced it to trash.
I pointed my car keys at the mailbox as if to lock it, realized the silliness of the action, and then pressed the lock button anyway with a shrug. Couldn’t hurt to try. Maybe that would keep further junk mail at bay.
This fermentation process is only sustainable for short periods of time. Excessive fermentation increases the acidity of the blood, disrupting homeostasis in potentially dangerous ways.
I wanted a nap, but I knew that was a bad idea. I could worry about it all later.
Tonight was DDR night, after all.
At the Insanity Complex
100 Skate Park Drive
Madison, AL