Cori cycle

Okay, imagine that you are playing a game of tag with your friends. You run around a lot and use up a lot of energy, right? Well, your cells in your body also use up energy when they are working hard.

One of the ways your cells get energy is by breaking down sugar that you ate called glucose. But sometimes, your cells might not have enough oxygen around to break down the glucose completely. When this happens, your cells turn the glucose into something called lactic acid.

Lactic acid might sound gross, but it can still be used for energy in your body. And here's where the Cori cycle comes in.

The Cori cycle is like a recycling system in your body. When your cells make lactic acid, they send it into your bloodstream. From there, your liver picks it up and turns it back into glucose. Your liver can then send the glucose back into your bloodstream where your cells can use it for energy.

It's kind of like playing tag and having someone else pick up the ball for you when you're tired and bring it back to you so you can play again. The Cori cycle helps make sure your cells always have enough energy to keep working, even when things get tough.