Final answer:
The flow of electrons during aerobic respiration follows the sequence of Glycolysis, then the Citric acid cycle, and finally the Electron transport chain, with oxidative phosphorylation occurring as electrons move through the chain. The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct flow of electrons during aerobic respiration can be modeled by the sequence: Glycolysis → Citric acid cycle → Electron transport chain. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, which is further oxidized to acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle (also known as Krebs cycle), where it undergoes a series of reactions releasing electrons that are temporarily stored in NADH and FADH2.
These high-energy electrons are then transferred to the electron transport chain, where they are passed down a series of proteins and eventually reduce oxygen to water. The flow of electrons generates a proton gradient that drives the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation via the mechanism of chemiosmosis. Therefore, the correct option is a) Glycolysis → Citric acid cycle → Electron transport chain.