ATP Yield Calculations: Theory vs Reality — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptIt is possible to make calculations of the net gain of ATP for every glucose molecule oxidised; but in reality this can remain only a theoretical exercise. These calculations can be made only on certain assumptions that:
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the assumptions made when determining the theoretical maximum ATP yield from one glucose molecule in aerobic respiration? S1. All intermediate products formed during the pathway are exclusively channeled towards the next step, without any diversion for anabolic processes. S2. The entire process of glucose oxidation, including glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and ETS, proceeds in a strictly sequential and orderly fashion. S3. NADH molecules generated in the cytoplasm during glycolysis are directly transferred into the mitochondrial matrix without any energy cost. S4. Only glucose is considered as the respiratory substrate, precluding the entry of other macromolecules at various intermediary points. S5. The efficiency of electron transport chain coupling to ATP synthase is absolute, resulting in precise ATP yields (e.g., 3 ATP per NADH, 2 ATP per FADH₂).
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