Question

2 $NADH^+$ produced during anaerobic glycolysis yields
A. 6 ATP molecules
B. 4 ATP molecules
C. 8 ATP molecules
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Glycolysis is a process in which breakdown of glucose takes place to form two molecules of pyruvate.

Complete Answer:
- ATP stands for Adenosine triphosphate. It is an energy carrying molecule which is found in the cells of all living beings.
- ATP production takes place in the Mitochondria of a cell that’s why mitochondria of a cell is called a powerhouse of the cell.
- ATP captures chemical energy that is obtained from the breakdown of food molecules and we use this energy for other cellular processes.

Anaerobic glycolysis: Anaerobic glycolysis is the transformation of a glucose molecule to the lactate or lactic acid when there is no oxygen present.
- At the end of glycolysis we are with 2ATP, 2NADH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), and 2 pyruvate molecules. The NADH gets converted to ATP via the Electron Transport Chain.
- Electron Transport chain occurs in the Mitochondria of the cell in the presence of Oxygen.
- Since in anaerobic respiration there will be the absence of Oxygen then no NADH gets converted to ATP.

Diagram showing the process of glycolysis in which there is net production of 2 ATP molecules and two NADH molecules.

Hence option D is the correct answer for this question.

Note: In general, during aerobic respiration one molecule of NADH produces 2-3 ATP via electron transport chain.