Question

How many ATP molecules should be produced from the complete oxidation of a mole of acetyl CoA?

• A. 12 ATP
• B. 15 ATP
• C. 36 ATP
• D. 38 ATP

Answer 1

The correct option is A 12 ATP

Glucose enters into glycolysis and yields 2 pyruvate molecules. These pyruvates then get converted into 2 acetyl CoA molecules. Each acetyl CoA enters into citric acid cycle and yields 3 $NAD{H}_2$ (9 ATP), 1 $FAD{H}_2$ (2 ATP) and 1 GTP (1 ATP). Therefore, altogether 12 ATP molecules will be produced from each mole of acetyl-CoA. Thus, the correct answer is option A.