The chemical breakdown of carbohydrates that produces lactic acid is called anaerobic glycolysis. It occurs when the body doesn't have enough oxygen to support aerobic respiration, which is the primary way our cells generate energy.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

1. Glucose (a simple sugar) enters the cell.

2. Glucose is broken down into pyruvate. This process requires energy and produces a small amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy currency.

3. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted into lactate (lactic acid). This process regenerates NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a molecule essential for glycolysis to continue.

Here's the chemical equation for this process:

```

Glucose + 2 ADP + 2 Pi → 2 Lactate + 2 ATP + 2 H2O

```

Where:

* ADP: Adenosine diphosphate

* Pi: Inorganic phosphate

* ATP: Adenosine triphosphate

* H2O: Water

Important points to remember:

* Lactic acid production is a normal process in the body. It's a temporary solution to allow energy production to continue when oxygen is limited.

* Lactic acid is not a waste product. It can be used as fuel by other tissues or recycled back to glucose by the liver.

* Excessive accumulation of lactic acid can lead to fatigue and muscle soreness. This usually happens during intense exercise or when oxygen supply is insufficient.

Let me know if you'd like to explore any of these points in more detail!