End product of citric acid cycle:

Correct answer: B. CO2 and H2O

  • A. Pyruvate
  • B. CO2 and H2O
  • C. CO2
  • D. Lactic acid

Explanation

The correct answer is CO2 and H2O. During the citric acid cycle, acetyl-CoA is oxidized, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). The high-energy electrons captured by NADH and FADH2 are eventually used in the electron transport chain to produce water (H2O) as the electrons combine with oxygen. Therefore, the combined end products of the citric acid cycle and subsequent processes in aerobic respiration are CO2 and H2O.Pyruvate is incorrect because it is not an end product of the citric acid cycle; it is a precursor that is converted to acetyl-CoA. CO2 alone is incomplete as an answer because it leaves out the contribution of water formed in the electron transport chain. Lactic acid is not involved in the citric acid cycle but is produced under anaerobic conditions when oxygen is not present.

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