AIIMS 2018 Botany Fermentation MCQ Question

During fermentation, yeast converts pyruvic acid into ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) under anaerobic conditions, allowing for the regeneration of NAD⁺, which is essential for glycolysis to continue producing ATP. This process occurs in the absence of oxygen, leading to the incomplete oxidation of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and resulting in a net gain of only 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. Other options are not applicable in this context, as they do not address the specific biochemical pathways involved in alcoholic fermentation. Understanding this process highlights the importance of anaerobic respiration in energy production and the role of fermentation in various biological and industrial applications.