Imagine that a person had a mutation that made it impossible for NADH to donate a hydrogen and high energy electrons to PYRUVATE. Which of the following statements are TRUE? Question 12 options: A) This person would not be able to burn fat B) This person would not be able to perform anaerobic metabolism C) This person would not be able to produce CO2 in the mitochondria D) i All of the above are TRUE

• B)

This person would not be able to perform anaerobic metabolism

Explanation:

During aerobic respiration, the role of NADH in conjunction to pyruvate is to accept hydrogen and electrons from pyruvate which converts it to AcetylCoA, that then enters TCA cycle and ETC stage that will lead to more ATP molecules and production of carbon dioxide. However, in the above scenario, NADH is not accepting H and electrons from pyruvate, rather, we are told it supposed to donate them to pyruvate a process that only occurs during lactic acid fermentation (anaerobic respiration). The role of NADH in anaerobic respiration is to donate Hydrogen and electrons to pyruvate which forms lactate by the aid of lactate dehydrogenase. Inability of NADH to donate hydrogen and electrons will thus hinder the process of anaerobic metabolism.