What is the overall net gain of ATP in aerobic respiration per one molecule of glucose?
A. between 0-10
B. between 10-20
C. between 30-40
D. between 40-50
Answer (2)
Glycolysis yields a net gain of 2 ATP.
The citric acid cycle produces 2 ATP.
Oxidative phosphorylation generates approximately 30-34 ATP.
The total ATP production ranges from 34 to 38, so the answer is between 30-40.
between 30-40
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We want to determine the overall net gain of ATP in aerobic respiration per one molecule of glucose and choose the correct range from the options provided. Aerobic respiration consists of several stages, each contributing to ATP production.
ATP from Glycolysis The first stage, glycolysis, results in a net gain of 2 ATP molecules.
ATP from Citric Acid Cycle The citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) produces 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.
ATP from Oxidative Phosphorylation The majority of ATP is generated during oxidative phosphorylation, which includes the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. This stage typically yields approximately 30 to 34 ATP molecules.
Total ATP Calculation To find the total ATP production, we sum the ATP generated in each stage: 2 (glycolysis) + 2 (citric acid cycle) + 30 to 34 (oxidative phosphorylation) = 34 to 38 ATP .
Final Answer and Conclusion Considering the calculated range of 34 to 38 ATP molecules, the correct option is 'between 30-40'.
Examples
Understanding ATP production in cellular respiration is crucial in various fields. For instance, athletes need to optimize their energy production during workouts. Knowing that aerobic respiration yields a significant amount of ATP helps them focus on endurance exercises that rely on this pathway. Similarly, in medicine, understanding ATP production is vital for studying metabolic disorders and developing treatments that target energy production pathways. For example, if a drug inhibits a certain step in the electron transport chain, it will directly impact ATP production, affecting cellular functions.
The overall net gain of ATP in aerobic respiration from one molecule of glucose is between 34 and 38 ATP. Therefore, the chosen option is 'between 30-40'.
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