How many ATP molecules are produced from one glucose molecule during the electron transport chain?

1 Answer
Siddharth B.
Feb 3, 2016

34.

Explanation:

ETC mainly converts NADH2 and FADH2 into ATP by using a proton gradient across a membrane.

  • First, all the NADH2 from 1 glucose-
    2 are formed from glycolysis.
    2 from link reaction.
    6 from Kreb's cycle.
  • There are also 2 FADH2 obtained in Kreb's cycle.
  • Since 1 NADH2 = 3 ATP and 1 FADH2 = 2 ATP, total ATP formed are 34.

2 more ATP are directly obtained from glycolysis and 2 from substrate level phosphorylation (ie, without entering ETC) of 2 GTPs formed in Kreb's cycle.

Thus, 34 from ETC, and 4 from elsewhere make total 38 ATPs from aerobic respiration.

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