Why does the oxidation of organic compounds by molecular oxygen to produce CO2 and water release free energy?
A) Electrons are being moved from atoms that have a lower affinity for electrons (such as O).
B) The covalent bonds in organic molecules and molecular oxygen have more kinetic energy than the covalent bonds in water and carbon dioxide.
C) The covalent bond in O2 is unstable and easily broken by electrons from organic molecules.
D) The electrons have a higher potential energy when associated with water and CO2 than they do in organic compounds.
E) The oxidation of organic compounds can be used to make ATP.
Answer: A