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Multiple Choice
Which of the following mechanisms produces the most ATP during cellular respiration?
A
Oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain and chemiosmosis)
B
Glycolysis
C
Fermentation
D
Citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
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 oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain and chemiosmosis). Each stage contributes to ATP production.
Recall that glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP (net gain of 2 ATP molecules) and NADH.
Learn that the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and generates NADH and FADH₂, which are electron carriers, along with a small amount of ATP (2 ATP per glucose molecule).
Understand that fermentation is an anaerobic process that occurs when oxygen is not available. It produces very little ATP (2 ATP per glucose molecule) and regenerates NAD⁺ for glycolysis but does not involve the electron transport chain.
Recognize that oxidative phosphorylation, which includes the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It uses NADH and FADH₂ to drive the production of the majority of ATP (approximately 34 ATP per glucose molecule) through the movement of protons and ATP synthase activity.