Which one of the following is not a breakdown product of glucose dur

Which one of the following is not a breakdown product of glucose during respiration?

Ethanol
Lactic acid
Water
Methanol
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
The correct answer is D) Methanol.
Cellular respiration is the process by which glucose is broken down to release energy. This process begins with glycolysis, which converts glucose into pyruvate. Depending on the presence of oxygen, pyruvate can be further metabolized:
1. Aerobic respiration (in the presence of oxygen): Pyruvate is completely oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
2. Anaerobic respiration (fermentation, in the absence of oxygen): Pyruvate is converted into products like ethanol and carbon dioxide (in yeast and plants) or lactic acid (in muscle cells and some bacteria).
Ethanol, lactic acid, and water are all potential breakdown products of glucose during respiration. Methanol is not produced during the standard biological breakdown of glucose.
Methanol (CH₃OH) is a simple alcohol. It is produced industrially or by anaerobic metabolism of certain bacteria, but not as a standard product of glucose respiration in humans or most common organisms.
Exit mobile version