[Campbell Biology P.216] The text compares cellular respiration to the explosive combustion ... | Practice Question

The text compares cellular respiration to the explosive combustion of gasoline or hydrogen and oxygen. What is the primary advantage of cellular respiration being a "stepwise" process rather than a single explosive reaction?

  • A: It allows for more efficient harnessing of energy for constructive work.
  • B: It generates a higher total amount of energy per mole of glucose.
  • C: It avoids the need for activation energy.
  • D: It directly produces ATP in every step without the need for an electron transport chain.

Explanation

The text states that if energy is released from a fuel all at once, it cannot be harnessed efficiently for constructive work, likening it to a gasoline tank explosion that cannot drive a car far. Stepwise energy release, as in cellular respiration, allows for the gradual capture of energy in usable forms like ATP, making it much more efficient for cellular processes.