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

Which term describes the breakdown of glucose during metabolism?

1. Fermentation

2. Glycolysis

3. Oxidation

4. Respiration

The correct answer is: Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the correct term that describes the initial breakdown of glucose during metabolism. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and involves a series of enzymatic reactions that convert glucose into pyruvate, generating a small amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and reducing equivalents in the form of NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). Glycolysis is an essential metabolic pathway for both aerobic and anaerobic organisms, as it allows for energy extraction from glucose even in the absence of oxygen. The other terms involved relate to different metabolic processes. Fermentation refers to the process that follows glycolysis in the absence of oxygen, allowing for the regeneration of NAD+ but does not itself break down glucose. Oxidation is a more general term that refers to the loss of electrons during chemical reactions, which can happen during various metabolic processes, including glycolysis but is not specific to it. Respiration encompasses the entire process of energy production from glucose, including glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Hence, while all these terms relate to glucose metabolism in some way, glycolysis is the specific term that directly describes the breakdown of glucose.