Final answer:
From one glucose molecule, a theoretical maximum of 38 ATP can be produced during aerobic respiration, but typically around 36 ATP are synthesized due to energy losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total number of ATP molecules synthesized directly from one glucose molecule through the pathway of aerobic cellular respiration can be calculated by considering the different stages of the process, which include glycolysis, the transition reaction (conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA), the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and the electron transport chain (ETC). In glycolysis, a net gain of 2 ATP molecules is produced. During the transition reaction, 2 NADH are generated, which are then used in the ETC to produce ATP, with each NADH yielding approximately 3 ATPs, hence adding an additional 6 ATPs. The Krebs cycle produces 2 ATPs directly, however, it also generates NADH and FADH2 which, through oxidative phosphorylation in the ETC, provide approximately 30 ATPs from NADH and 4 ATPs from FADH2. Combining these yields gives us a theoretical maximum of 38 ATP, however, in reality, this number is often lower (around 36 ATP), partially due to the energy cost of transporting NADH into the mitochondria.