Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

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What is the primary energy molecule produced during cellular respiration?

NADH
ATP
FADH2
Glucose

The correct answer is: ATP

The primary energy molecule produced during cellular respiration is ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP serves as the main energy currency of the cell, providing the energy needed for a variety of cellular processes, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and cell division. During cellular respiration, glucose is metabolized through a series of chemical reactions, primarily in the mitochondria. This process involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. Throughout these stages, energy is released, and this energy is harnessed to convert adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate into ATP. While other molecules like NADH and FADH2 are produced during cellular respiration and carry electrons to the electron transport chain for further ATP production, they themselves are not the direct energy currency utilized by the cell. Glucose is the starting point for cellular respiration, but it is not the end product; instead, it is broken down to produce ATP. Thus, ATP is the key molecule that serves as a readily available source of energy for the cell.