Question

Complete oxidation of a molecule of glucose yields?

• A. $15$ ATP molecules
• B. $2$ ATP molecules
• C. $36$ ATP molecules
• D. $8$ ATP molecules

Answer 1

The correct option is C $36$ ATP molecules

Oxidation is a chemical process that, loosely defined, involves removing electrons from particular areas of a molecule. In biochemical processes, oxidation generally results in the release of energy. The glucose molecule contains stored energy in its bonds, just as other nutrient molecules do, including starch, proteins and fats. When you consume food that contains glucose, you digest the food and absorb the glucose into your bloodstream. From there, cells take up the glucose and either store it for later use or chemically burn it to provide energy. Oxidation of glucose is analogous to burning wood in many ways: It releases chemical energy. The complete aerobic oxidation of glucose is coupled to the synthesis of as many as 36 molecules of ATP.

So the correct option is '36 ATP molecules'.