The Warburg effect in cancer cells describes aerobic glycolysis producing lactate even in the presence of adequate oxygen. The primary advantage of this metabolic reprogramming is:

• A Maximising ATP generation per glucose molecule
• B Reducing reactive oxygen species to prevent apoptosis
• C Generating biosynthetic intermediates (ribose, NADPH, acetyl-CoA) for rapid proliferation ✓
• D Inhibiting p53-mediated transcription of pro-apoptotic genes

Explanation

The Warburg effect channels glycolytic intermediates into anabolic pathways: pentose phosphate pathway (ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis, NADPH for reductive biosynthesis), serine synthesis, and lipid precursors, supporting rapid cell proliferation more than ATP sufficiency. Aerobic glycolysis actually produces far less ATP per glucose than oxidative phosphorylation. ROS reduction is a separate survival mechanism, and p53 inhibition is a distinct carcinogenesis step unrelated to the Warburg effect.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

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