Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

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What is the function of NAD+ in cellular respiration?

  1. Transporting ATP

  2. Accepting electrons

  3. Catalyzing the breakdown of glucose

  4. Producing ATP

The correct answer is: Accepting electrons

NAD+ plays a crucial role in cellular respiration as an electron carrier. During the metabolic pathways, particularly in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, NAD+ accepts electrons that are released during the oxidation of glucose and other substrates. When NAD+ accepts these electrons, it is reduced to NADH. This is significant because NADH then functions as an energy-rich molecule that transports electrons to the electron transport chain, where its electrons are ultimately used to drive the production of ATP. By accepting electrons, NAD+ facilitates the transfer of energy that is essential for the synthesis of ATP, which is the primary energy currency of the cell. Thus, its primary function is to serve as an electron acceptor, enabling the necessary redox reactions in cellular respiration to occur efficiently.

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