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Multiple Choice
Which of the following are products of the Krebs cycle?
A
Lactic acid, NADH, and CO$_2$
B
Glucose, NADPH, and O$_2$
C
Pyruvate, ATP, and H$_2$O
D
NADH, FADH$_2$, ATP, and CO$_2$
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), which is a key metabolic pathway in cellular respiration. It occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and is responsible for generating energy-rich molecules.
Step 2: Recall the main inputs to the Krebs cycle: Acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate, which undergoes a series of enzymatic reactions to regenerate oxaloacetate.
Step 3: Identify the products of the Krebs cycle. During these reactions, energy carriers such as NADH and FADH$_2$ are produced, along with ATP (or GTP depending on the organism) and CO$_2$ as a byproduct.
Step 4: Compare the given options to the actual products of the Krebs cycle. Lactic acid is not a product of the Krebs cycle; it is produced during anaerobic respiration. Glucose and NADPH are associated with photosynthesis, not the Krebs cycle. Pyruvate is an input to cellular respiration, not a direct product of the Krebs cycle.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is NADH, FADH$_2$, ATP, and CO$_2$, as these are the true products of the Krebs cycle based on its biochemical reactions.