Final answer:
The correct answer to the question about which anaerobic pathways are activated at the onset of exercise and their ATP production characteristic is D: glycolysis and the phosphagen system, which produce small amounts of ATP rapidly.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the onset of exercise, both aerobic and anaerobic pathways are activated. Anaerobic pathways include glycolysis and the phosphagen system. These pathways generate small amounts of ATP rapidly. Therefore, the correct answer is D: glycolysis, the phosphagen system small rapidly.
Glycolysis is a process where glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen, producing pyruvate and a small quantity of ATP. The phosphagen system, on the other hand, uses compounds like creatine phosphate to rapidly reconstitute ATP that muscles use for immediate energy.
Comparatively, during aerobic respiration, the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation are responsible for producing the majority of ATP over a more extended period, using oxygen. However, these are not the pathways in focus when addressing the immediate surge of anaerobic activity during the onset of exercise.