Question

During aerobic respiration, a glucose molecule is disassembled into carbon dioxide and water molecules. What fraction of the carbon dioxide molecules released is generated during the citric acid cycle?

Answer 1

Two-third fraction of the carbon dioxide molecules released is generated during the citric acid cycle.

Explanation:

Aerobic respiration results in energy production as well as releases the waste products of carbon dioxide plus water.

Pyruvate oxidation during aerobic respiration leads to the production of carbon dioxide and pyruvate is converted into a two-carbon molecule aligned with acetyl CoA.

This compound then proceed to the citric acid cycle, oxidize, and results in the production of two carbon dioxide molecules along with one GTP or an ATP, 3 NADH, and 1 FADH molecule.  

The citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic cycle is a set of cyclic biochemical reactions taking place in aerobic organisms to oxidize the acetate (acetyl carbon molecules of the acetyl CoA) from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into carbon dioxide and release energy.