Final answer:
The ATP yield from one molecule of glucose through aerobic respiration is about 36 ATP molecules. This accounts for theoretical yields and the actual energy costs involved in mitochondrial transport and the usage of intermediates in other processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the ATP yield from one molecule of glucose through the process of cellular respiration. The Krebs cycle and aerobic respiration are key stages in this biochemical process. The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, along with glycolysis and the electron transport chain, contributes to the overall production of ATP.
When one glucose molecule is completely oxidized to CO2 and H2O through aerobic respiration, the theoretical maximum yield of ATP molecules can be as high as 38. This includes ATP produced by both substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation. However, due to energy costs, such as the transport of intermediates into the mitochondria, the actual number generally ranges from lower than 38. In reality, for every glucose molecule that is catabolized, it is more accurate to estimate that approximately 36 ATPs are produced. This value considers various factors such as mitochondrial shuttles and the use of glucose intermediates for other cellular functions.