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Multiple Choice
Which stage of cellular respiration produces the most ATP?
A
Citric Acid Cycle
B
Electron Transport Chain
C
Glycolysis
D
Fermentation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the stages of cellular respiration: Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle (also known as Krebs Cycle), and Electron Transport Chain.
Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH.
The Citric Acid Cycle takes place in the mitochondria, where acetyl-CoA is oxidized, producing NADH, FADH2, and a small amount of ATP.
The Electron Transport Chain is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It uses NADH and FADH2 to create a proton gradient, driving ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
Compare the ATP yield from each stage: Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle produce fewer ATP molecules directly, while the Electron Transport Chain generates the most ATP by utilizing the proton gradient for ATP synthesis.