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Multiple Choice
The primary source of energy in the cells is a nutrient called ________.
A
glucose
B
hemoglobin
C
urea
D
cholesterol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the question. The problem is asking about the primary source of energy in cells, which is a fundamental concept in biochemistry related to cellular metabolism.
Step 2: Recall that cells require energy to perform various functions, and this energy is primarily derived from a nutrient that undergoes metabolic processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
Step 3: Review the options provided: glucose, hemoglobin, urea, and cholesterol. Analyze each option based on its biochemical role. Glucose is a carbohydrate and a key molecule in energy production. Hemoglobin is a protein responsible for oxygen transport. Urea is a waste product of nitrogen metabolism. Cholesterol is a lipid involved in membrane structure and hormone synthesis.
Step 4: Focus on glucose. Glucose is metabolized in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of cells to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the universal energy currency of the cell. This process is central to cellular respiration.
Step 5: Conclude that glucose is the correct answer because it is the primary nutrient used by cells to generate energy through metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.