In aerobic respiration, most of the ATP is synthesized during:

Correct answer: B. Electron Transport Chain

  • A. Oxidation of pyruvic acid
  • B. Electron Transport Chain
  • C. Krebs cycle
  • D. Glycolysis

Explanation

In aerobic respiration, the electron transport chain (ETC) is where most of the ATP is synthesised. The ETC uses high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2, produced during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. This gradient powers ATP synthase to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Although glycolysis and the Krebs cycle contribute to ATP production, they primarily generate electron carriers (NADH, FADH2) for the ETC. Therefore, the electron transport chain is the most ATP-productive stage in aerobic respiration.

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Cellular respiration explains how cells release energy from glucose through glycolysis, the link reaction, Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. It includes ATP production, substrate-level and oxidative phosphorylation, aerobic versus anaerobic respiration, and the roles of mitochondria, oxygen and fermentation in energy transfer.

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