In the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl coa, one carbon atom is released as co2. however, the oxidation of the remaining two carbon atoms—in acetate—to co2 requires a complex, eight-step pathway—the citric acid cycle. consider four possible explanations for why the last two carbons in acetate are converted to co2 in a complex cyclic pathway rather than through a simple, linear reaction. use your knowledge of the first three stages of cellular respiration to determine which explanation is correct. a) more atp is produced per co2 released in cyclic processes than in linear processes. b) it is easier to remove electrons and produce co2 from compounds with three or more carbon atoms than from a two-carbon compound such as acetyl coa. c) redox reactions that simultaneously produce co2 and nadh occur only in cyclic processes. d) o cyclic processes, such as the citric acid cycle, require a different mechanism of atp synthesis than linear processes, such as glycolysis.

It is easier to remove electrons and produce CO2 from compounds with three or more carbon atoms than from a two-carbon compound such as acetyl CoA.

Explanation:Like the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, the citric acid cycle takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria. Almost all of the enzymes of the citric acid cycle are soluble, with the single exception of the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase, which is embedded in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. Unlike glycolysis, the citric acid cycle is a closed loop: the last part of the pathway regenerates the compound used in the first step. The eight steps of the cycle are a series of redox, dehydration, hydration, and decarboxylation reactions that produce two carbon dioxide molecules, one GTP/ATP, and reduced forms of NADH and FADH2. This is considered an aerobic pathway because the NADH and FADH2 produced must transfer their electrons to the next pathway in the system, which will use oxygen.

b is the correct answer