AP Biology : Understanding Glycolysis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Cellular Respiration

In glycolysis, what is the net gain of ATP molecules per glucose?

Possible Answers:

8

2

6

4

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

In glycolysis, the net gain of ATP molecules is 2. Two ATP per glucose molecule are required to initiate the process, then a total of four ATP are produced per molecule of glucose.

Example Question #32 : Cellular Respiration

Which of the following is a compound stored in liver and muscle cells that can be broken down into glucose?

Possible Answers:

Glycogen

Sucrose

Fructose

Starch

Correct answer:

Glycogen

Explanation:

Glycogen is the polysaccharide stored in the liver and muscle cells of animals that can be broken down into glucose. Sucrose and fructose are sugars. Starch is a polysaccharide found in plants.

Example Question #31 : Understanding Glycolysis

What is the end product of fermentation after glycolysis in animal cells when no oxygen is present?

Possible Answers:

Alcohol

Glucose

Sucrose

Lactic acid

Correct answer:

Lactic acid

Explanation:

Lactic acid is produced in animal cells when no oxygen is present in order to keep making ATP. Alcohol is produced in yeast cells in fermentation. Glucose is broken down in the entire cycle of respiration, and sucrose is a disaccharide.

Example Question #31 : Cellular Respiration

Glycolysis occurs in which part of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Golgi apparatus

Cytosol

Intermembrane space

Cell membrane

Mitochondrial matrix

Correct answer:

Cytosol

Explanation:

Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol. Recall that glycolysis is the process by which glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, which, under aerobic conditions, is further oxidized in the Krebs cycle and electron transport. The mitochondria is the site of the Krebs cycle and electron transport in eukaryotes, while these processes occur in the cytosol and across the cell membrane in prokaryotes.

Example Question #31 : Cell Functions

Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate and occurs in what part of the cell?

Possible Answers:

Intermembrane space of the mitochondria

Mitochondrial matrix

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Mitochondrial membrane

Cytoplasm

Correct answer:

Cytoplasm

Explanation:

Glycolysis is the first step taken in cellular respiration and takes place in the cytoplasm while pyruvate oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation take place inside the mitochondria.

Example Question #32 : Cell Functions

What are the net products of glycolysis?

Possible Answers:

2 ATP and 6 FADH2

4 ATP and 2 NADH

2 ATP and 2 NADH

38 ATP

2 ATP and lactic acid

Correct answer:

2 ATP and 2 NADH

Explanation:

Glycolysis creates ATP and NADH through substrate level phosphorylation. The net products are 2 ATP, 2 NADH, and 2 pyruvate molecules. More ATP and high energy electron carriers are produced in the subsequent stages of the metabolic pathway such as pyruvate processing and the citric acid cycle. 

Example Question #31 : Understanding Glycolysis

For glycolysis to proceed as the first step of cellular respiration, what must be present?

Possible Answers:

1 molecule of glucose

Oxygen, 2 molecule of , and 1 molecule of sucrose

2 molecules of 

2 molecules of  and 1 molecule of glucose

Oxygen

Correct answer:

2 molecules of  and 1 molecule of glucose

Explanation:

Glycolysis starts with the break down of one molecule of glucose via energy input from  to form 2 molecules of , 4 molecules of , 2 pyruvate molecules, and  molecules. This step will continue regardless of whether oxygen is present or not.

Example Question #32 : Cellular Respiration

In the absence of oxygen, another process may be used after glycolysis in humans to small amounts of ATP. What is this process called?

Possible Answers:

Lactic acid fermentation

Citric acid cycle

Oxidative phosphorylation

Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration

Correct answer:

Lactic acid fermentation

Explanation:

Without oxygen the final two steps of cellular respiration (Citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) can not be performed because it is used as the final electron acceptor. However, the first step, glycolysis produces a small amount of energy in the form of ATP as well as pyruvate and NADH. NADH can be recycle (to be used again in another round of glycolysis) by converting pyruvate to lactic acid. This process is known as lactic acid fermentation. 

Example Question #31 : Cellular Respiration

Which of the following are catabolic reactions?

I. Glycolysis

II. Electron transport chain

III. Citric acid cylce

IV. Photosynthesis

V. Protein synthesis

Possible Answers:

I only

III only

I and II

II, IV, and V

I, II, and III

Correct answer:

I only

Explanation:

Catabolic reactions are those that breakdown organic molecules into smaller molecules and release energy. Glycolysis involves the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, , and . Citric acid cycle is a series of reaction that take acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate and produce carbon dioxide, , , and . Thus, the Krebs cycle is both catabolic and anabolic. Photosynthesis and protein synthesis are both anabolic reactions. In contrast, while oxidative phosphorylation does produce energy in the form of , is neither catabolic nor anabolic because it simply transfers energy in the form of the electron carrier into  and does breakdown or produce organic molecules.

Example Question #40 : Cellular Respiration

What is the primary purpose of glycolysis?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Production of 

Production of pyruvate for eventual use in the citric acid cycle

Production of pyruvate for using in lactic acid fermentation

Production of  through substrate level phosphorylation

Correct answer:

Production of pyruvate for eventual use in the citric acid cycle

Explanation:

Per glucose only  is generated in substrate level phosphorylation in glycolysis. Additionally only  is produces per glucose in glycolysis. However the 2 pyruvate that are produced by glycolysis make  and  (along with ) during the citric acid cycle.

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