Final answer:
The net yield of ATP per molecule of glucose during glycolysis is two, accounting for the two ATP molecules used to initiate the process and the four ATPs produced, which results in a net gain of two ATP molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The net yield of ATP molecules produced per molecule of glucose during glycolysis is two. Glycolysis is the process that begins glucose catabolism, breaking the six-carbon glucose molecule into two three-carbon pyruvate molecules. Throughout this process, a total investment of two ATPs is required to kick-start the reaction, but four ATPs are produced, leading to a net gain of two ATPs for the cell.
However, under aerobic conditions, these two ATPs are utilized for the transport of NADH into the mitochondria. Therefore, some resources may consider the net production of ATP during glycolysis as zero, since the ATPs produced are reinvested. This should be distinguished from ATP produced in subsequent stages of cellular respiration, including the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
It's important to note that, during anaerobic conditions, when oxygen is not present, the total net ATP production remains at two since the NADH cannot be transported into mitochondria for further processing.