Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

NADH, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in its reduced form, serves as a crucial coenzyme in cellular metabolism, particularly in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. It plays a vital role in the process of cellular respiration by accepting electrons during metabolic reactions, which ultimately helps in the production of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. During glycolysis, NADH is formed when glucose is broken down into pyruvate. This process is essential for the transfer of electrons, facilitating both energy production and the regeneration of NAD+ needed for the continued functioning of glycolysis. The production of NADH is significant because it not only indicates the energy-producing potential of cellular pathways but also prepares these electrons to enter the electron transport chain, where further ATP synthesis occurs. The other options do not accurately capture the role of NADH in cellular metabolism. While NADH is associated with energy processes, it is specifically a product of glycolysis rather than a standalone form of energy storage. Although NADH is connected to the electron transport chain, it is not a direct product of that chain, but rather a precursor that donates electrons to it. Lastly, NADH is not an amino acid; it is a coenzyme pivotal for metabolic