Question

question 9 of 20 the pyruvic acid from glycolysis can be converted to acetic acid, which can enter the citric acid cycle. because this process cycle, the atoms entering the cycle must balance the atoms that leave. consider carbon balance in the citric acid cycle. how many co₂ molecules leave the cycle for each acetic acid molecule that enters? for this question, assume that carbon only enters as acetic acid and exits as co₂. note that acetic acid has two carbon atoms. you can determine the number of carbon atoms in carbon dioxide from its formula, co₂. co₂ molecules: using the first answer, how many molecules of co₂ are directly generated by the citric acid cycle from 2 molecules of acetic acid? again, in this question, assume that carbon only enters as acetic acid and exits as co₂. co₂ molecules:

Explanation:

Step1: Determine carbon - atom count in molecules

Acetic acid ($C_2H_4O_2$) has 2 carbon atoms. Carbon - dioxide ($CO_2$) has 1 carbon atom.

Step2: Calculate $CO_2$ per acetic acid

Since acetic acid has 2 carbon atoms and each $CO_2$ has 1 carbon atom, for 1 acetic acid molecule, the number of $CO_2$ molecules produced is 2.

Step3: Calculate $CO_2$ for 2 acetic acid molecules

If 1 acetic acid molecule produces 2 $CO_2$ molecules, then 2 acetic acid molecules will produce $2\times2 = 4$ $CO_2$ molecules.

Answer:

2
4