Which is a correct statement about the preparatory reaction? A) It connects glycolysis directly to the electron transport chain. B) O₂ is given off. C) Pyruvate is converted to lactate. D) NAD⁺ goes to NADH + H⁺ as acetyl-CoA forms. E) The reaction occurs once per glucose molecule.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The preparatory reaction involves the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which results in NAD+ being reduced to NADH + H+. This reaction occurs twice per glucose molecule, once for each pyruvate molecule produced in glycolysis. Therefore, option E is incorrect because the reaction occurs twice per glucose molecule. Option A is incorrect because while the preparatory reaction connects glycolysis to the citric acid cycle, it is not directly part of the electron transport chain. Option B is incorrect because there is no such thing as O₂. Option C is incorrect because the conversion of pyruvate to lactate occurs in a different process called fermentation.

Which Is a Correct Statement About the Preparatory Reaction