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Multiple Choice
If a cell's supply of oxygen is significantly reduced, what would happen to the cell's rate of glucose utilization during cellular respiration?
A
The rate of glucose utilization would decrease because the cell cannot perform glycolysis.
B
The rate of glucose utilization would increase as the cell shifts to anaerobic respiration.
C
The rate of glucose utilization would remain unchanged as oxygen is not required for glycolysis.
D
The rate of glucose utilization would stop completely as oxygen is essential for all stages of cellular respiration.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of oxygen in cellular respiration. Oxygen is crucial for the electron transport chain, which is the final stage of aerobic respiration. Without oxygen, the electron transport chain cannot function, leading to a shift in the cell's metabolic processes.
Recognize that glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration and occurs in the cytoplasm. It does not require oxygen and can proceed under anaerobic conditions, producing pyruvate and a small amount of ATP.
Consider what happens when oxygen is limited. The cell will shift from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration, such as fermentation, to continue producing ATP. This shift increases the rate of glucose utilization to compensate for the lower efficiency of ATP production.
Analyze the options given: The rate of glucose utilization would increase as the cell shifts to anaerobic respiration. This is because anaerobic pathways like fermentation require more glucose to produce the same amount of ATP as aerobic respiration.
Conclude that the correct answer is that the rate of glucose utilization would increase as the cell shifts to anaerobic respiration, due to the reduced efficiency of ATP production in the absence of oxygen.