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Multiple Choice
Which 3-carbon molecule is one of the final products of glycolysis?
A
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
B
Pyruvate
C
Lactate
D
Acetyl-CoA
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of glycolysis: Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose (a 6-carbon molecule) into two molecules of pyruvate (a 3-carbon molecule), along with the production of ATP and NADH.
Identify the key steps in glycolysis: Glycolysis involves a series of 10 enzymatic reactions that occur in the cytoplasm of cells. The pathway begins with glucose and ends with the production of pyruvate.
Recognize the role of pyruvate: Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis. It is a 3-carbon molecule that can be further metabolized in the presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions) to acetyl-CoA, or converted to lactate under anaerobic conditions.
Differentiate between the molecules: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is an intermediate in glycolysis, not a final product. Acetyl-CoA is a product of pyruvate oxidation, not glycolysis itself. Lactate is produced from pyruvate under anaerobic conditions, but it is not a direct product of glycolysis.
Conclude with the correct answer: Based on the glycolysis pathway, the 3-carbon molecule that is one of the final products is pyruvate.