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Multiple Choice
Which molecules can be broken down to generate ATP during cellular respiration?
A
Glucose
B
Cellulose
C
Nucleic acids
D
Cholesterol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy currency of the cell, and it is generated through cellular respiration.
Identify the main stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and oxidative phosphorylation.
Recognize that glucose is the primary molecule broken down during cellular respiration to generate ATP. It undergoes glycolysis, which is the first step in cellular respiration.
Consider other molecules: Cellulose is a polysaccharide that is not directly used in cellular respiration because it is a structural component in plants and requires specific enzymes to break it down into glucose units.
Understand that nucleic acids and cholesterol are not typically broken down to generate ATP. Nucleic acids are involved in genetic information storage and transfer, while cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and a precursor for steroid hormones.