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Multiple Choice
Which 3-carbon molecule is one of the final products of glycolysis?
A
Acetyl-CoA
B
Lactate
C
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
D
Pyruvate
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of glycolysis: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose (a 6-carbon molecule) into two 3-carbon molecules, producing energy in the form of ATP and NADH.
Identify the final products of glycolysis: The two main 3-carbon molecules produced at the end of glycolysis are pyruvate. This occurs after a series of enzymatic reactions that convert glucose into pyruvate.
Differentiate pyruvate from other molecules: Acetyl-CoA is a 2-carbon molecule formed from pyruvate during the transition step before entering the citric acid cycle. Lactate is produced from pyruvate under anaerobic conditions, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is an intermediate in glycolysis, not a final product.
Recall the role of pyruvate: Pyruvate serves as a key intermediate in cellular respiration, where it can either enter the mitochondria for aerobic respiration or be converted into lactate during anaerobic respiration.
Conclude that pyruvate is the correct answer: Based on the glycolysis pathway, pyruvate is the 3-carbon molecule that is one of the final products of glycolysis.