Question

Each FADH2 yields a maximum of ____ ATP, and each NADH yields a maximum of _____ ATP as a result of transferring pairs of electrons to the ETC.

a) 1 ATP; 3 ATP
b) 2 ATP; 4 ATP
c) 3 ATP; 2 ATP
d) 4 ATP; 1 ATP

Answer 1

Each FADH2 yields 2 ATP and each NADH yields 3 ATP as a result of transferring electrons to the ETC during aerobic respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each FADH2 yields a maximum of 2 ATP, and each NADH yields a maximum of 3 ATP as a result of transferring pairs of electrons to the ETC. The electrons from FADH₂ produce less ATP because they start at a lower point in the ETC compared to the electrons from NADH. In total, the theoretical maximum yield of ATP made during the complete aerobic respiration of glucose is 38 molecules, with four being made by substrate-level phosphorylation and 34 being made by oxidative phosphorylation (Figure 8.16).