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Multiple Choice
Which stage of cellular respiration produces the greatest number of ATP molecules per glucose molecule?
A
Citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
B
Glycolysis
C
Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation
D
Fermentation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of cellular respiration, which consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain coupled with oxidative phosphorylation.
Recall that glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.
Learn that the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and generates electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) but produces only a small amount of ATP directly.
Recognize that the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation occur in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to the chain, creating a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis via ATP synthase.
Conclude that the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation produce the greatest number of ATP molecules per glucose molecule, as the majority of ATP in cellular respiration is generated during this stage.