AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -So, in aerobic respiration, a total of 38 molecules of ATP are created, with 2 ATP molecules formed outside the mitochondria. Electron transfer from glycolysis’ NADH and FADH2 molecules, pyruvate transformation, and the Krebs cycle generates up to 32 additional ATP molecules.

Detailed explanation-2: -The number depends on the type of cell that we are considering. Cells such as cardiac muscle cells or liver cells that utilize the malate-aspartate shuttle generate 32 ATP molecules per glucose while cells such as skeletal muscle cells which utilize the glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle generate 30 ATP molecules.

Detailed explanation-3: -Electron transport from the molecules of NADH and FADH2 made from glycolysis, the transformation of pyruvate, and the Krebs cycle creates as many as 32 more ATP molecules. Therefore, a total of up to 36 molecules of ATP can be made from just one molecule of glucose in the process of cellular respiration.

Detailed explanation-4: -The processes of cellular respiration involve glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and electron transport chain. For every glucose molecule, the overall ATP output from full oxidation is 36 or 38 ATP.

Detailed explanation-5: -why is the total count about 36 or 38 ATP molecules rather than a specific number? The number varies depending on what shuttle transports electrons from NADH in the cytosol.