Question

Glucose Catabolism

1) Aerobic cellular respiration

• Glycolysis, Citric Acid cycle, Electron Transport Chain etc.

2) Anaerobic Respiration

3) Fermentation

Name the three major pathways for glucose catabolism (on the top ^) and briefly describe them (names of major step, inputs, outputs). For inputs and outputs, consider both carbon-based molecules and energy-containing molecules.  

For each pathway, discuss:

• An example of a final electron acceptors for each pathway

• The relative electronegativity of the final electron acceptor (comparing the 3 pathways)

• Relative amount of ATP made  

• Whether the pathway is complete or incomplete oxidation

• Whether the pathway is aerobic or anaerobic

Thank you in advance :)

Answer 1

Glucose Catabolism: It is a process in which glucose is oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO₂) with the release of energy as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and heat.

It occurs in two ways aerobically(in presence of oxygen) and anaerobically (in absence of oxygen):

Aerobically : It happens in presence of oxygen, with the release of 36 ATP

Anaerobically: It happens in absence of oxygen , with the release of 2 ATP

In Yeast it is termed as fermentation.

Lactic acid is most electronegative among the final electron acceptors as resonance takes place in the molecule thus increasing the electron accepting tendency of oxygen in the molecule.

The major pathways for glucose catabolism with input and output both carbon based and energy containing molecule is explained through the diagram in the images uploaded: