In aerobic metabolism, what are the main end products of complete glucose oxidation?

• A. Lactic acid and water
• B. Carbon dioxide and water
• C. Glucose and oxygen
• D. Methane and CO2

Answer: (B)

In aerobic metabolism, complete glucose oxidation ends with carbon dioxide and water. Glucose is fully broken down through glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and the electron transport chain, with the carbon atoms converted to CO2 and the oxygen from the air forming H2O at the end of the chain. The overall reaction can be summarized as glucose plus oxygen producing carbon dioxide and water, plus energy stored as ATP. Lactic acid arises under anaerobic conditions when oxygen is limited, not during complete aerobic oxidation. Glucose and oxygen are reactants, not end products, and methane isn’t involved in human glucose metabolism.