How much ATP will be produced by the complete oxidation of o

How much ATP will be produced by the complete oxidation of one pyruvate?

Solution

Answer : complete oxidation of one pyruvate produces 15 ATPs

Explanation : Glycolysis:pyruvate to acetyl-CoA produces 1 NADH

One round of citric acid cycle produces 3 NADH + 1 FADH2 + 1 ATP

(Oxidation of one NADH=3 ATPs and one FADH=2 ATPs)

4 NADH = 12 ATP

1 FADH2 = 2 ATP

Direct ATP formed =1 ATP

Total of 15 ATP molecules