Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about aerobic respiration is true?

1. It does not require oxygen

2. It occurs in prokaryotic cells only

3. It includes the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain

4. It occurs exclusively in the cytoplasm

The correct answer is: It includes the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain

The statement asserting that aerobic respiration includes the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain is true because both of these processes are integral components of aerobic respiration. Aerobic respiration is a metabolic pathway that requires oxygen to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell. The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, occurs in the mitochondria and is responsible for processing the products of glycolysis, generating electron carriers that are critical for the next stage. Following the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain also takes place in the mitochondria, where the electrons are used to drive ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. This understanding underscores the importance of oxygen in facilitating these processes, distinguishing aerobic respiration from anaerobic processes, which can function without oxygen and do not involve the Krebs cycle or the electron transport chain. This further clarifies why the other statements are not accurate in relation to aerobic respiration, particularly regarding its requisite environment, cellular location, and exclusive application.