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Multiple Choice
Which process produces the most ATP per molecule of glucose oxidized?
A
Fermentation
B
Citric Acid Cycle
C
Glycolysis
D
Oxidative Phosphorylation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the overall process of cellular respiration, which includes glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Each of these stages contributes to the production of ATP from glucose.
Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, occurring in the cytoplasm. It converts one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2 ATP molecules.
The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, takes place in the mitochondria. It processes the pyruvate from glycolysis to produce electron carriers NADH and FADH2, along with a small amount of ATP (2 ATP per glucose molecule).
Fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs when oxygen is not present. It allows glycolysis to continue by regenerating NAD+, but it does not produce additional ATP beyond the 2 ATP from glycolysis.
Oxidative phosphorylation is the final stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It uses the electron carriers NADH and FADH2 from the citric acid cycle to drive the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, producing approximately 34 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, making it the most ATP-productive process.