Which molecule is oxidized during cellular respiration?

In cellular respiration, glucose serves as the primary fuel source for the production of energy. During this metabolic process, glucose undergoes oxidation, meaning it loses electrons. This transformation involves a series of enzymatic reactions where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, and then further processed in the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. As glucose is oxidized, it is converted into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the form of ATP, which powers cellular activities.

This focus on glucose highlights its role as a central molecule in energy metabolism, demonstrating its significance in sustaining cellular life. Other molecules like oxygen, amino acids, and fatty acids play important roles in cellular respiration and energy production, but they do not fit the criteria of being oxidized in the primary pathway as glucose is. Oxygen, for example, acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, while amino acids and fatty acids can be used as alternative energy sources but are not typically the primary substrates for oxidation during cellular respiration.