NEETBotanyRespiration in Plants
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In aerobic respiration, oxygen directly participates in the reactions of the Krebs cycle to drive the complete oxidation of pyruvate. Reason (R): Oxygen acts as the final hydrogen acceptor, driving the whole aerobic process by removing hydrogen from the system. In the light of the above statements,
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Step-by-step solution
The Assertion is incorrect because oxygen does not directly participate in the Krebs cycle or glycolysis. Its active role is strictly limited to the terminal stage of aerobic respiration (the electron transport system). The Reason is correct. Although oxygen's participation is limited to the terminal stage, its presence is vital because it acts as the final hydrogen acceptor. By removing hydrogen (protons and electrons) from the system to form water, it drives the entire process of aerobic respiration, allowing the