Question

View Available Hint(s) Which of the following statements correctly identifies why fermentation alone won't keep cells alive.? See Section 9.6 (Page) . Fermentation can produce lactic acid, which is toxic to cells. Fermentation stores harvested energy in NADH, which has low potential energy. The oxidation of glucose via cellular respiration has the potential yield of 29 ATP while the oxidation of glucose via fermentation yields only 2 ATP. Fermentation can produce ethanol and CO2, which are toxic to cells.

Answer 1

Answer:

The oxidation of glucose via cellular respiration has the potential yield of 29 ATP while the oxidation of glucose via fermentation yields only 2 ATP.

Explanation:

Fermentation is incomplete oxidation of glucose in the absence of oxygen and produces only 2 ATPs per glucose molecule while the rest of the energy of glucose is not stored in the form of ATP. The process of fermentation also produces toxic lactic acid and ethanol that should be removed from the cells.  

On the other hand, aerobic cellular respiration produces as many as 29 ATPs from one glucose molecule and therefore, is a much efficient process in harnessing the energy of glucose. Step by step breakdown of glucose into CO2 and H2O stored the released energy in the form of reducing powers (NADH and FADH2). These reducing powers are oxidized in a stepwise manner through an electron transport chain to drive the synthesis of a large number of ATPs.

The higher yield of ATP by cellular respiration can support the vital functions of cells while fermentation alone cannot fulfill the energy requirement of cells.