In anaerobic glycolysis, which cofactor is regenerated to allow glycolysis to continue?

In anaerobic glycolysis, which cofactor is regenerated to allow glycolysis to continue?

• A. NADP+
• B. NAD+
• C. FAD
• D. ATP

Answer: (B)

NAD+. In glycolysis, the step that oxidizes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate relies on NAD+ to accept electrons, forming NADH. For glycolysis to keep running, NADH must be converted back to NAD+. Under anaerobic conditions, this happens when pyruvate is reduced to lactate (in animals) or to ethanol (in yeast), reoxidizing NADH to NAD+. This regeneration of NAD+ lets glycolysis continue and provides a quick supply of ATP without oxygen. NADP+, FAD, and ATP don’t serve this NAD+ regeneration role in anaerobic glycolysis.

NAD+. In glycolysis, the step that oxidizes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate relies on NAD+ to accept electrons, forming NADH. For glycolysis to keep running, NADH must be converted back to NAD+. Under anaerobic conditions, this happens when pyruvate is reduced to lactate (in animals) or to ethanol (in yeast), reoxidizing NADH to NAD+. This regeneration of NAD+ lets glycolysis continue and provides a quick supply of ATP without oxygen. NADP+, FAD, and ATP don’t serve this NAD+ regeneration role in anaerobic glycolysis.