Question

in a skeletal muscle cell, if a single molecule of glucose undergoes glycolysis, and the citrate cycle completes along with the electron transport chain, how many net atp molecules are produced based on the chemical potential energy contained in the glucose substrate? (remember that skeletal muscle relies most heavily on the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle. also, assume that there was no additional entry/exit of other chemistry into/out of these pathways.)

Answer 1

In a skeletal muscle cell, the net production of ATP from a single molecule of glucose undergoing glycolysis, the citrate cycle, and the electron transport chain is around 36 ATP molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a skeletal muscle cell, if a single molecule of glucose undergoes glycolysis, the citrate cycle, and the electron transport chain, the net production of ATP is typically 36 to 38 ATP molecules. However, in skeletal muscle specifically, the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle is primarily used for transporting NADH from glycolysis into the mitochondria. This shuttle produces only two ATP molecules, resulting in a lower net production of around 36 ATP molecules. The actual yield can vary depending on factors such as the efficiency of electron transport and the shuttle systems used.