Question

How many ATP molecules are produced by aerobic oxidation of one molecule of glucose?

• A. 2
• B. 4
• C. 38
• D. 34

Answer 1

The correct option is C 38

During aerobic respiration,
- glucose is first converted into pyruvate through the process of glycolysis and is accompanied by the generation of ATP and NADH
- pyruvate, then enters the Krebs cycle and is converted into carbon dioxide, with the production of ATP, NADH and FADH2
- NADH and FADH2 generated during glycolysis and Krebs cycle enters the Electron Transport Chain, where an NADH generates 3 ATP and an FADH2 generated 2 ATP Therefore, in total one glucose molecule generate 38 ATP during aerobic respiration.
The break up of ATP consumed and generated during each stage of aerobic respiration, is listed below

Process	ATP consumed	ATP generated	Net ATP produced
Glycolysis	2	4	2
Krebs cycle	-	-	2
ETC	-	-	34
		Total	38