Net gain of ATP in prokaryotes from a molecule of glucose when oxidized is

Options

(a) 40
(b) 38
(c) 36
(d) 34

Correct Answer:

38

Explanation:

In aerobic oxidation, one molecule of glucose produces a total of 38 ATP molecules. But two are utilised in bringing NADH₂ from cytoplasm to electron transport chain (ETS). i.e., shuttle system. So the net gain of ATP is 36 ATP. In prokaryotes shuttle system is absent, so net gain of ATP will be 38 (8 from glycolysis + 24 from krebs cycle + 6 from ETC).