Question

The complete oxidation of one glucose molecule yields 30 or more ATP. Glucose catabolism includes glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle. The total yield of ATP includes ATP, GTP, and reduced cofactors that yield ATP from the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Which of the following processes yields the most ATP? When determining the ATP yield for each process, include ATP derived from reduced cofactors.
I) oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA

II) citric acid cycle

III) glycolysis

Answer 1

Answer: II. Citric acid cycle

Explanation:

Oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA does not generate energy and glycolysis generates only 2 ATP (2 ATP used and 4 ATP generated). On the contrary TCA generates as much 38 ATP.