Final answer:
The net formation of ATP during the oxidation of one glucose molecule in the mitochondria with oxygen is 36 ATP. So, correct answer is (B).
Step-by-step explanation:
The net formation of ATP in the mitochondria during the oxidation of one glucose molecule in the presence of oxygen is a topic that relates to the process of aerobic cellular respiration. In the entire process, a total of 36 ATP molecules are typically generated.
This includes 2 ATP from glycolysis, 2 ATP from the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), and about 32 ATP from the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. However, theoretically, up to 38 ATP molecules could be produced, with some variability depending upon the shuttle system used to transport electrons and the efficiency of the process in different organisms.
During this process, NADH and FADH2 generated from the breakdown of glucose contribute electrons to the electron transport chain, which ultimately leads to the production of ATP. In the electron transport chain (ETC), approximately three ATP molecules are produced for every NADH molecule oxidized, while two ATP molecules are produced for every FADH2 molecule oxidized.
Due to slight inefficiencies and the cost of transporting NADH into the mitochondria, the number is generally rounded down to 36 ATP rather than 38 ATP.