ATP Production in Glycolysis — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2022What is the net gain of ATP when each molecule of glucose is converted to two molecules of pyruvic acid? (NEET 2022 phase 1)
What is the net gain of ATP when each molecule of glucose is converted to two molecules of pyruvic acid? (NEET 2022 phase 1)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — 2
In glycolysis, 4 ATP molecules are produced (2 from 1,3-BPG to 3-PGA step and 2 from PEP to pyruvate step) but 2 ATP molecules are consumed (glucose to G-6-P and F-6-P to F-1,6-BP steps). Therefore, net gain is 4 - 2 = 2 ATP molecules per glucose molecule.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Can you then calculate how many ATP molecules are directly synthesised in this pathway from one glucose molecule?
NTA tests students' ability to calculate the net ATP molecules produced directly in glycolysis from one glucose molecule. The correct answer is 2 ATP (net), because glycolysis uses 2 ATP in the initial phase (investment phase) and produces 4 ATP in the payoff phase, giving a net of 2 ATP. The common mistake students make is forgetting that glycolysis requires an initial investment of 2 ATP molecules before any ATP is produced, or they count only the ATP produced without subtracting the ATP used. Remember: Glycolysis produces 4 ATP total but uses 2 ATP, resulting in NET 2 ATP directly from this pathway. This concept is crucial because it forms the foundation for understanding total ATP yield from one glucose molecule (including krebs cycle and ETC).
What does NCERT say about Can you then calculate?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.