The pathway compares two fermentation routes used when oxygen is unavailable.
What is the primary purpose of the reactions that convert pyruvate to lactic acid or ethanol?
- A
Reducing oxygen to water
- B
Producing CO2 for the Calvin cycle
- Ccheck_circle
Regenerating NAD+ so glycolysis can continue producing ATP
- D
Generating an additional 30 ATP per glucose
Explanation
Without O2, the ETC cannot reoxidize NADH. Fermentation oxidizes NADH back to NAD+, allowing glycolysis to keep generating ATP.