Question

How many ATP molecules can theoretically be produced?

Answer 1

Synthesis of ATP molecules:

1. ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate is called the energy currency of the cell, which produces energy by dephosphorylation of ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate.
2. ATPs can be generated individually or through Nicotinamide Adenosine Dinucleotide Hydrogen (NADH) or Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide Hydrogen (FADH) through the Electron Transport System ETS chain.
3. ATPs are generated in the process of respiration, in which the glucose molecule is oxidized to yield water and carbon dioxide.
4. The process involves three steps namely: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport system, which generate a total of 38 ATP molecules.
5. In the process of Glycolysis, the Glucose molecule breakdown into two pyruvate molecules to yield 2 ATPs and NADH.
6. In the process of the Krebs cycle, the 2 Acetyl Coenzyme A molecules undergo breakdown into 6 carbon dioxide molecules, to give 6 ATPs, 2 NADH, and 2 FADH molecules.
7. In the ETS chain, the 2 NADH and FADH molecules are further converted to NAD and FAD, and the energy is harvested to convert the ADPs to ATPs
8. One molecule of NADH gives 3 ATPs and one molecule of FADH gives 2 ATPs respectively.
9. Hence in total, in the three steps, 38 ATPs can be produced theoretically.