Final answer:
The citric acid cycle yield from 2 pyruvates is 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂, and 2 ATP, with an extra 2 NADH generated in the conversion of pyruvates into acetyl-CoA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The yield of the citric acid cycle from 2 pyruvates, which result from the catabolism of one glucose molecule, includes two complete turns of the cycle. Each turn of the cycle produces 3 NADH, 1 FADH₂, and 1 ATP (or GTP which is converted to ATP), which means that from two turns, we get a total of 6 NADH, 2 FADH₂, and 2 ATP. Also generated in the conversion of the 2 pyruvates into 2 acetyl-CoA molecules are an additional 2 NADH. All these molecules are essential in cellular respiration because they carry high energy electrons to the electron transport chain to continue the production of ATP.