After radioactive carbon was fed into the citric acid cycle, where might it be found?

Question

ATP

NADH

Carbon Dioxide

Proton Gradient

Answer 1

After radioactive carbon is fed into the citric acid cycle, it can be found in the following places:

1. Carbon Dioxide: During the citric acid cycle, carbon atoms from acetyl-CoA are completely oxidized and released as carbon dioxide.
2. ATP: As the citric acid cycle progresses, high-energy electrons are captured and used to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
3. NADH: The citric acid cycle involves multiple redox reactions, and NADH is produced as a result of the reduction of NAD+ by high-energy electrons.
4. Proton Gradient: As part of oxidative phosphorylation, high-energy electrons from NADH are transported along the electron transport chain, generating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient is essential for ATP synthesis.