During glycolysis, when each molecule of glucose is catabolized to two molecules of pyruvate, most of the potential energy contained in glucose is _____.
a. used to phosphorylate fructose to form fructose 6-phosphate
b. transferred to ADP, forming ATP
c. retained in the two pyruvates
d. stored in the NADH produced
e. transferred directly to ATP

Glycolysis is first stage of cellular respiration, it occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. During glycolysis one 6 carbon glucose is converted into two molecules of 3 carbon pyruvic acid or pyruvate. This converison requires 2 ATP and generates 4 ATP, thus there is net gain of 2ATP. Along with ATPs, in the process of glycolysis, 2 electron carrying molecules NADH are produced. The End product of glycolysis is 2 molecules of pyruvic acid which further oxidised in the mitochondria and release large amount of energy. Therefore, most of the potential energy contained in glucose is retained in the two pyruvates.

JenelleTeeters JenelleTeeters · Answer 2 · 2019-12-06T04:51:57+01:00

Answer:

The correct answer is c. retained in the two pyruvates

Explanation:

Glycolysis is the partial oxidation of glucose therefore only some of the energy is released in the process glycolysis. This is which only 2 ATP is produced during the glycolysis process.

Most of the potential energy contained in glucose is retained in two pyruvates. Then these pyruvates are fully oxidized during the Krebs cycle into CO2. This oxydation produces FADH2 and NADH which is then used to feed electron in the electron transport chain to form many ATPs that is used in various metabolic functions in the body.

So during glycolysis most of the energy retained in two pyruvates. Therefore the correct answer is c.