Question

A swimmer dives into the pool at the start of a race. What is the best description of the pathway that powers the swimmer's muscle cells at the start of the race when oxygen is available? It is an aerobic pathway consisting of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. It is an anaerobic pathway consisting of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. It is an aerobic pathway consisting of glycolysis and fermentation. It is an anaerobic pathway consisting of glycolysis and fermentation.

Answer 1

Answer:

It is an aerobic pathway consisting of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

Explanation:

Till the time oxygen is available in the muscle cells, it will perform aerobic pathway which includes processes like glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. It is only after all the oxygen has been utilized, muscle cells will have to switch to anaerobic pathway. Aerobic pathway is more advantageous and efficient than anaerobic pathway because through aerobic pathway more energy or ATP can be produced as compared to anaerobic pathway. But for aerobic pathway oxygen is the absolute necessity. Another disadvantage of anaerobic pathway is that, a lot of lactic acid is produced which keeps on accumulating in the muscles and in case it is not metabolized it may cause death of the organism.