Inside an Active Mitochondrion, Most Electrons Follow Which Pathway

Question

Inside an active mitochondrion, most electrons follow which pathway?
A) glycolysis → NADH → oxidative phosphorylation → ATP → oxygen
B) citric acid cycle → FADH₂ → electron transport chain → ATP
C) electron transport chain → citric acid cycle → ATP → oxygen
D) pyruvate → citric acid cycle → ATP → NADH → oxygen
E) citric acid cycle → NADH → electron transport chain → oxygen

Accepted Answer

The correct pathway for most electrons inside an active mitochondrion is from the citric acid cycle to NADH, then through the electron transport chain, and finally to oxygen. This process is part of cellular respiration, where the citric acid cycle produces NADH, which then donates electrons to the electron transport chain, leading to the production of ATP and the consumption of oxygen as the final electron acceptor.