Final answer:
Aerobic respiration synthesizes up to 36 molecules of ATP from one molecule of glucose, divided into stages: glycolysis (2 ATP), the Krebs cycle (2 ATP), and the electron transport chain (the majority of ATP). In detailed energy conversions, approximately 32 ATP molecules are produced.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aerobic Respiration and ATP Yield
The yield of aerobic respiration is the process by which cells convert the energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a form of energy that can be readily used for cellular activities. During aerobic respiration, one molecule of glucose can synthesize up to 36 molecules of ATP. This process is divided into three main stages:
The Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), which produces 2 ATP molecules.
Electron transport chain, where NADH and FADH₂ made from glycolysis, the transformation of pyruvate, and the Krebs cycle enter to produce the majority of ATP. Here, ATP yield is significantly higher due to many NADH and FADH₂ molecules being oxidized to generate a larger amount of ATP.
Overall, when accounting for the GTPs that convert to ATPs, and the estimated conversion of NADH and FADH₂ to ATP (NADH ≈ 2.5 ATP and FADH₂ ≈ 1.5 ATP), approximately 32 molecules of ATP can be produced from the complete aerobic respiration of glucose, although the traditional estimate often cited is 36 ATPs.