Question

Choose the correct answers from the alternatives given :
In eukaryotes complete oxidation of a glucose molecule results in the net gain of how many ATP molecules?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 36
• D. 38

Answer 1

The correct option is D 38

Complete oxidation of glucose occurs through three steps :

1. Glycolysis
2. Krebs cycle
3. Terminal oxidation

During glycolysis glucose changes to pyruvic acid gaining total energy as 2 ATP molecules and 2 molecules of NADH${}_2$ then later on in Krebs cycle 30 ATP molecules and 2 FADH${}_2$ are produced. One NADH${}_2$ produces 3 ATP molecules while one FADH${}_2$ produces two ATP molecules. Therefore in complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose, a total of 38 ATP's are gained.

So, the correct option is ' 38'.