Question

The number of equivalent molecules of ATP required to produce one molecule of glucose in $C_4$ plants is ________.

• A. 39
• B. 12
• C. 18
• D. 30

Answer 1

The correct option is D 30

The number of equivalent molecules of ATP required to produce a molecule of glucose in $C_4$ plants is 30. The $C_3$ cycle requires 3 ATPs in each turn. For 6 turns (in order to produce one molecule of glucose), it requires 18 ATP molecules. In $C_4$ plants, the $C_4$ pathway requires 2 equivalent additional ATPs for each turn. So for 6 turns, it will require 12 equivalent additional ATP molecules. Altogether, 12 + 18 = 30 equivalent ATPs are required to produce one molecule of glucose.