Understanding Bioenergetics in Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle

In cellular respiration, the energy from glucose is transformed into usable cellular energy through a series of metabolic pathways. One key pathway is glycolysis, which converts glucose into pyruvate while producing ATP and NADH. Following glycolysis, pyruvate can enter the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) or undergo fermentation under anaerobic conditions. Each step of these processes is catalyzed by specific enzymes, which facilitate the conversion of reactants to products while managing the energy changes.

In the context of bioenergetics, it is important to understand how the flows of energy, in the form of ATP, support cellular work and maintain homeostasis. Consider the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) during these pathways, which indicates the spontaneity and direction of biochemical reactions.

Which of the following statements about the bioenergetics of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle is TRUE?