Which one of the following tissues of the eye relies almost solely on anaerobic metabolism instead of the TCA/electron transport cycle?

The tissue of the eye that relies almost solely on anaerobic metabolism is the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The retina, particularly the photoreceptor cells, primarily generates energy through anaerobic glycolysis rather than the aerobic pathways like the TCA cycle and electron transport chain. This reliance on anaerobic metabolism is particularly important in low-oxygen environments and allows the retina to maintain its function under conditions where oxygen levels may be limited. The efficiency of anaerobic metabolism in the RPE supports its critical roles in visual processing and protecting photoreceptor cells from oxidative stress.