What process is used to metabolize glucose in the presence of oxygen?

The process used to metabolize glucose in the presence of oxygen is cellular respiration. This is a multifaceted biochemical pathway that converts glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cellular respiration consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and the electron transport chain, all of which work in concert to efficiently produce energy when oxygen is available.

While glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, it occurs both in the presence and absence of oxygen, meaning it isn't exclusive to aerobic metabolism. Anaerobic metabolism, on the other hand, refers specifically to processes that occur without oxygen; therefore, it does not apply to this question. Fermentation is a form of anaerobic respiration that occurs when oxygen is not present, further distinguishing it from the aerobic processes involved in cellular respiration. Thus, cellular respiration is the comprehensive term that encompasses the entire aerobic process of glucose metabolism, making it the correct answer.