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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a product of the citric acid cycle?
A
FADH2
B
ATP
C
Oxygen
D
NADH
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide.
Identify the main products of the citric acid cycle. These include NADH, FADH2, ATP (or GTP depending on the organism), and carbon dioxide. These products are crucial for the electron transport chain and energy production.
Recognize that oxygen is not produced in the citric acid cycle. Instead, oxygen is used in the electron transport chain, which occurs after the citric acid cycle, to accept electrons and form water.
Compare the list of products given in the problem (FADH2, ATP, NADH) with the known products of the citric acid cycle. All these are indeed products of the cycle.
Conclude that oxygen is not a product of the citric acid cycle, as it is involved in the subsequent process of oxidative phosphorylation, not in the cycle itself.