A Student Argued That Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration Should Produce

question 50

Multiple Choice

A student argued that aerobic and anaerobic respiration should produce the same amount of energy. He argued that both processes are essentially the same-only the terminal electron acceptor is different. What's wrong with his argument?

• A) Nothing-they SHOULD both produce the same amount of energy. Clearly he knows more than his professors or the writers of his textbook.
• B) Not all electrons are brought into the electron transport chain with the same amounts of potential energy. NADH, for example, enters the electron transport chain "further up" than FADH₂-so it will lead to less proton motive force being generated, and thus less eventual ATP.
• C) Not all electron acceptors are the same-some are closer in terms of electronegativity to their high-energy electron carrier molecules (e.g., NADH) than others, and this impacts the amount of produced energy. Oxygen has the highest electron affinity of the terminal electron acceptors used.
• D) He should believe what his instructors tell him, without question-and they say aerobic respiration is better, so it MUST be so.

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Definitions:

Systemic

Pertains to viewing problems or solutions as part of a comprehensive system, recognizing the interdependencies and interactions between parts of the system.

Perturb

To disturb or unsettle significantly, often used in the context of altering one's mental or emotional state.

Reorganize

The process of rearranging or restructuring thoughts, behaviors, or organizational systems.

Technical Eclecticism

An approach in therapy that utilizes techniques from various psychological theories based on their effectiveness for specific problems, rather than adhering to a single theoretical framework.