Question

In muscles, from three molecules of glucose, two are completely oxidized and one is incompletely oxidized (anaerobic) then, what will be the number of total $NA{D}^{+}$ molecules utilized?

• A. 20
• B. 10
• C. 14
• D. 8

Answer 1

The correct option is A 20

$NA{D}^{+}$ is consumed only in aerobic respiration. Only two of the three glucose molecules were oxidized completely (aerobic respiration). Complete oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide requires a total of 10 $NA{D}^{+}$; conversion of glucose to 2 molecules of pyruvate (Glycolysis) 2 $NA{D}^{+}$ are utilized. during conversion of 2 molecules of pyruvate to 2 molecules of acetylCoA, 2 molecules of $NA{D}^{+}$ and finally for the oxidation of each acetylCoA molecule 3 $NA{D}^{+}$ molecules are consumed (Kreb's cycle). Thus a total of 10 $NA{D}^{+}$ are consumed for the complete oxidation of 1 glucose. Thus, the correct option is A