Final answer:
During aerobic respiration in eukaryotes, most ATP is produced through oxidative phosphorylation, which involves the electron transport chain in mitochondria. NADH and FADH2 donate electrons, creating a gradient used by ATP synthase to generate ATP. Up to 36 ATP molecules can be produced from one glucose molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
In eukaryotes, the majority of ATP produced during the aerobic respiration of glucose happens through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This process takes place in the mitochondria and involves the electron transport chain (ETS), which is a series of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. NADH and FADH2, which are created during glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the transition reaction, donate high-energy electrons to the ETS. Electrons are passed through the chain to the final electron acceptor, oxygen, which then combines with hydrogen ions to form water.
The energy from these electron transfers is used to pump hydrogen ions across the mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. This gradient is then exploited by ATP synthase to convert ADP to ATP, as hydrogen ions flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through the enzyme. Oxidative phosphorylation is responsible for producing the majority of the ATP in aerobic respiration. For every molecule of glucose catabolized, up to 36 ATP molecules can be produced, although in reality, the yield can vary due to factors such as the energy required to transport intermediates into the mitochondria.