Question

The reactions in the pathways of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle break down glucose and release the energy stored in the molecules. Therefore, these pathways:

A) are catabolic pathways
B) are anabolic pathways
C) take place in animal cells, but not in plant cells
D) involve the reduction of glucose and its metabolic intermediates

Answer 1

Glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are catabolic pathways that break down glucose to release energy and produce ATP. They occur in both animal and plant cells and generate intermediate compounds that serve as precursors for other biological molecules.option a is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reactions in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are involved in the breakdown of glucose to release energy. These pathways can be classified as catabolic pathways, which involve the degradation of complex molecules into simpler ones, with the release of energy that can be harvested to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol of the cell, initiating the catabolism of glucose by converting it to pyruvate, with the potential to produce ATP whether or not oxygen is present. The citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), which takes place in the mitochondria, further breaks down the products of glycolysis to capture more energy.

Together, these pathways are used by all forms of life, including both animal and plant cells, suggesting they are a universal set of reactions in living systems. The intermediate compounds of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle are not only involved in energy production but also serve as precursors for many other biological molecules, highlighting the interconnected nature of metabolic pathways.