Which of the following is characteristic of aerobic respiration?

Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process that is characterized by a series of biochemical reactions occurring in the presence of oxygen. One main feature of this process is that it includes glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain.

Glycolysis begins the process by breaking down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. The pyruvate then enters the Krebs cycle, where it is further oxidized, and additional NADH and FADH2 molecules are generated along with ATP. Finally, the electron transport chain utilizes the NADH and FADH2 produced in the previous steps to create a proton gradient that drives the production of a substantial amount of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

This sequential process is efficient and allows the cell to maximize energy extraction from glucose. In contrast, fermentation does not occur in aerobic respiration, as it is an alternative pathway used when oxygen is not available. While aerobic respiration does produce more energy than anaerobic respiration, the key defining feature here is the inclusion of the glycolytic pathway, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain integral to the aerobic metabolic pathway. Thus, the correct choice highlights the comprehensive nature of aerobic respiration and its reliance on