If 30 molecules of ATP are produced for each molecule of glucose completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water,how many ATP molecules will be produced for each molecule of pyruvate completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water?
A)2
B)6
C)14
D)28
E)60

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For each molecule of glucose, two molecules of pyruvate are produced during glycolysis. Since 30 ATP molecules are produced from one glucose molecule, and glucose yields two pyruvate molecules, each pyruvate molecule will result in half the ATP produced from glucose, which is 15 ATP. However, this question specifically asks for the ATP produced from the complete oxidation of pyruvate to carbon dioxide and water, which excludes the ATP produced during glycolysis. Since glycolysis produces 2 ATP per glucose (or 1 ATP per pyruvate), and considering the 2 NADH produced during glycolysis (which are not counted in the oxidation of pyruvate to CO2 and H2O), we subtract these from the total. Therefore, from the complete oxidation of pyruvate to CO2 and H2O, the ATP yield is 15 (half of 30) minus the 1 ATP directly produced during glycolysis for each pyruvate, resulting in 14 ATP.

If 30 Molecules of ATP Are Produced for Each Molecule