Which of the following is a correct description of the events of cellular respiration in proper sequence?

• A. Oxidation of glucose to pyruvate; reduction of pyruvate; citric acid cycle; oxidative phosphorylation
• B. Glycolysis; reduction of pyruvate; citric acid cycle; oxidative phosphorylation
• C. Glycolysis; oxidative phosphorylation; citric acid cycle; oxidation of pyruvate
• D. Oxidation of pyruvate; citric acid cycle; oxidation of glucose to pyruvate; oxidative phosphorylation
• E. Oxidation of glucose to pyruvate; oxidation of pyruvate; citric acid cycle; oxidative phosphorylation

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the overall process of cellular respiration, which is the method by which cells convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.
2. The first step in cellular respiration is Glycolysis, where glucose is oxidized to form pyruvate. This process occurs in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen.
3. Next, the pyruvate undergoes oxidation to form Acetyl-CoA. This step is crucial as it links glycolysis to the citric acid cycle and occurs in the mitochondria.
4. The Acetyl-CoA then enters the Citric Acid Cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), where it is further oxidized, and high-energy electron carriers NADH and FADH2 are produced.
5. Finally, oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria, where the electron transport chain uses the electrons from NADH and FADH2 to create a proton gradient that drives the synthesis of ATP.