Final answer:
Cholesterol cannot be used in the oxidative pathways of cellular respiration, unlike glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids which are catabolized to produce ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nutrient molecule that cannot be used in the oxidative pathways of cellular respiration is cholesterol. While glucose, amino acids from proteins, and fatty acids are catabolized during cellular respiration, cholesterol is not used directly in these pathways. Glucose is catabolized during glycolysis and its intermediates enter the citric acid cycle and are further processed in oxidative phosphorylation. Fatty acids are also broken down through beta-oxidation and converted to acetyl CoA, which then enters the citric acid cycle. Amino acids can be deaminated and their carbon skeletons can also feed into the citric acid cycle. However, cholesterol is synthesized from acetyl groups and is not broken down by cellular respiration pathways to provide ATP.