Question

Which two compounds react during fermentation? Which of these compounds passes higher energy electrons to the other?

a) Glucose and oxygen react during fermentation. Glucose passes higher energy electrons to oxygen.
b) Glucose and water react during fermentation. Water passes higher energy electrons to glucose.
c) Glucose and NADH react during fermentation. NADH passes higher energy electrons to glucose.
d) Glucose and pyruvate react during fermentation. Pyruvate passes higher energy electrons to glucose.

Answer 1

The compounds that react during fermentation are glucose and pyruvate, and NADH passes higher energy electrons to help convert pyruvate, regenerating NAD+ required for glycolysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two compounds that react during fermentation are glucose and pyruvate. In this process, the compound that passes higher energy electrons to the other is NADH, as it provides the necessary electrons to help convert pyruvate into either ethanol or lactate, depending on the type of fermentation. This electron donation process regenerates NAD+, which is necessary for continuing glycolysis, a pathway that generates a small amount of ATP. Hence, the correct answer to the student's question is that neither glucose nor oxygen are directly involved in the electron transfer during fermentation. Instead, pyruvate and NADH react, and NADH passes higher energy electrons to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to proceed in the absence of oxygen.