Question

ATP synthesis in mitochondria requires all of the following EXCEPT (select two answers)

Answer 1

Answer:

c. fermentation of pyruvate into lactate to regenerate NAD+

e. the breakdown of glucose

Explanation:

Fermentation of pyruvate into lactate to form NAD+ to drive glycolysis occurs in absence of oxygen in the cytoplasm. It does not include Kreb's cycle and oxidative phosphorylation of aerobic cellular respiration.

Aerobic respiration starts with glycolysis to split glucose into pyruvate and is followed by Kreb's cycle. Pyruvate enters Kreb's cycle in the form of acetyl CoA and is completely broken down into CO2 and H2O.

Oxidative phosphorylation is responsible for ATP synthesis in mitochondria. The dinucleotides (NADH and FADH2) formed during glycolysis and Kreb's cycle are oxidized by giving their electrons to the terminal electron acceptor oxygen molecule via electron transport chain.

The process reduces oxygen molecules into water and also generates the electrochemical gradients across the inner mitochondrial membrane to drive the ATP synthesis.