Question

Which of the following statements is true about the way cells shuttle electrons from one molecule to another during cellular respiration?

a The loss of electrons is called reduction.
b NADH is suited to pick up electrons.
c Electrons are added to NAD+, which then carries the electrons to another electron acceptor.
d Water is oxidized during cell respiration.

Answer 1

The true statement regarding the shuttling of electrons during cellular respiration is that NAD+ accepts electrons to become NADH, which then carries these electrons to other molecules. The process involves oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons) reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked about the true statement regarding how cells shuffle electrons from one molecule to another during cellular respiration. To answer this question, we need to understand that in redox reactions, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. The mnemonic OIL RIG can help us remember this concept, where 'Oxidation Is Loss' and 'Reduction Is Gain' of an electron. In cellular respiration, NAD+ accepts electrons during the various stages of the process, becoming NADH, which is then used to carry electrons to other molecules, ultimately contributing to ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation.

The correct statement about how cells shuttle electrons during cellular respiration is 'Electrons are added to NAD+, which then carries the electrons to another electron acceptor.' The option stating 'NADH is suited to pick up electrons' also holds true, as NADH is the form of the molecule that has accepted electrons (the reduced form). Therefore, the true statements in the context of cellular respiration are that the loss of electrons is oxidation (not reduction), NADH is indeed suited to pick up electrons since it is the reduced form of NAD+, and finally, water is produced (oxidized) during the electron transport chain when electrons reduce oxygen to form water.

Answer 2

Electrons are added to NAD+, which then carries the electrons to another electron acceptor. The correct option is c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about the way cells shuttle electrons from one molecule to another during cellular respiration is option c: Electrons are added to NAD+, which then carries the electrons to another electron acceptor. In cellular respiration, NAD+ accepts two electrons and a hydrogen ion (H+) to form NADH, which then transfers the electrons to the electron transport chain for further energy production.

Option a is incorrect because the loss of electrons is oxidation, not reduction. Option b is incorrect because NADH, not NAD+, is suited to pick up electrons. Option d is incorrect because water is not oxidized during cell respiration. Hence, c is the correct option.