What cellular process generates the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules used as the direct chemical energy currency for muscular contraction and cellular metabolism in human cells?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Cellular respiration (Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation)
- Step 1: Human cells break down dietary nutrients, primarily glucose and fatty acids, through a sequence of biochemical enzymatic reactions.
- Step 2: Through cytoplasmic glycolysis followed by mitochondrial beta-oxidation, the citric acid (Krebs) cycle, and the electron transport chain (oxidative phosphorylation), cells generate ATP to fuel cellular activities.
Answer
Cellular respiration (Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and Oxidative phosphorylation)
Why not the others: 'Photosynthesis' Photosynthesis is the process in autotrophic plants and algae that uses sunlight to convert CO2 and water into glucose; 'Lactic acid fermentation exclusively under all conditions' Fermentation is an anaerobic emergency pathway producing only 2 ATP per glucose, whereas aerobic respiration yields around 30 to 32 ATP; 'Active transmembrane potassium transport' Transmembrane transport consumes ATP rather than generating it.
Practise more Human Body and Organ Systems.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed General Knowledge mock tests.
More Human Body and Organ Systems questions
- Which chamber of the human heart has the thickest muscular wall, enabling it to pump oxygenated blood into the aorta and throughout the syst…
- What is the natural primary pacemaker of the human heart, responsible for generating spontaneous electrical impulses that initiate heartbeat…
- Which blood type is designated as the universal red blood cell donor because its erythrocytes lack both A and B antigens and the Rh antigen?
- What microscopic functional unit within the human lungs is the primary site of respiratory gas exchange between inhaled air and the bloodstr…
- What is the longest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the human skeleton?
- Which part of the human brain is primarily responsible for motor coordination, posture, muscle tone, and maintaining physical balance?