Final answer:
The net gain of activated carrier molecules after glycolysis is two ATP (gross, but net is zero because of they are used for NADH transport) and two NADH. The subsequent stages yield additional carriers with each NADH potentially generating three ATP during the ETC, and each FADH2 producing two ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Net Production of Activated Carrier Molecules
Throughout the process of glycolysis and subsequent related pathways, the net production of activated carrier molecules can be calculated. In the course of complete aerobic respiration of one glucose molecule, glycolysis directly yields a gross of four ATP molecules, but upon subtracting the two ATP molecules consumed during the energy investment phase, glycolysis results in a net gain of two ATP. Furthermore, glycolysis also yields two NADH molecules. However, these two ATP are later used to transport the NADH into the mitochondria, thus reducing the net production of ATP during glycolysis to zero.
The subsequent stages of cellular respiration, including the link reaction and the citric acid cycle, invariably yield more activated carriers per glucose molecule. Specifically, the link reaction yields two NADH, and each turn of the citric acid cycle yields three NADH and one FADH2, summing up to six NADH and two FADH2 for the two turns of the cycle.
During the electron transport chain (ETC), each NADH can potentially produce three ATP, and each FADH2 can produce two ATP; however, this can vary slightly depending on the electron shuttle used to transport electrons into the mitochondria. Therefore, the net yield of activated carriers depends greatly on the stage of respiration and the efficiency of electron transport and ATP generation.