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Multiple Choice
Which process in cellular respiration produces the greatest amount of ATP?
A
Citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
B
Fermentation
C
Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation
D
Glycolysis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of cellular respiration, which is the process by which cells generate energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) by breaking down glucose molecules.
Step 2: Review the major stages of cellular respiration: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain coupled with oxidative phosphorylation.
Step 3: Recall that glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and produces a small amount of ATP directly through substrate-level phosphorylation. It also generates NADH and pyruvate for further energy extraction.
Step 4: Note that the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and produces ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation, but its primary role is to generate high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) for the electron transport chain.
Step 5: Understand that the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation occur in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to the chain. This process drives the production of the greatest amount of ATP via chemiosmosis and the enzyme ATP synthase.