Question

What are the assumptions made during the calculation of net gain of ATP?

Answer 1

Hi Adarsh,

Certain assumptions are made for calculating the net gain of ATP:

• An orderly pathway is followed; Glycolysis, followed by TCA cycle, followed by ETS
• NADH synthesised during glycolysis enters the mitochondria to undergo oxidative phosphorylation.
• Except glucose, no other substrate enters the pathway at any stage.
• Intermediates do not synthesise any other compound in the pathway.

There can be a net gain of 36 ATPs during aerobic respiration of 1 molecule of glucose.
Glucose + 6O₂ + 36ADP + 36Pi → 6CO₂ + 42H₂O + 36ATP

Hope this answers your question,

Cheers!!