Question

Which of the following is the purpose of fermentation?

a) Produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation
b) Regenerate NAD+
c) Generate acetyl-CoA
d) Produce glucose

Answer 1

The purpose of fermentation is to regenerate NAD+. Fermentation allows the recycling of NADH back into NAD+, which is necessary for the continuation of glycolysis, the cell's primary pathway for ATP production. Different types of fermentation, such as lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic fermentation, convert pyruvate into different end products while regenerating NAD+.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of fermentation is to
c) Regenerate NAD+.

Fermentation is a process that occurs when oxygen is not available, converting pyruvate into other products. Its main role is to recycle the molecule NADH back into NAD+, which is needed for the continuation of glycolysis, the cell's primary pathway for ATP production.

For example, in lactic acid fermentation, pyruvate is converted into lactic acid, while in alcoholic fermentation, pyruvate is converted into ethanol. Both types of fermentation generate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue and produce ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation.