What are the different processes that produce ATP?
Posted January 4, 2024
Answer
The different processes that produce ATP include glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
- In the process of glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate and energy. There are 2 ATP molecules made in the process, which is described with this chemical formula: (Glucose + 2 NAD+ + 2 ADP + 2 Pi --> 2 Pyruvate + 2 NADH + 2 H+ + 2 ATP + 2 H2O).
- In the TCA cycle, one molecule of acetyl CoA is converted to 1 ATP, 3 NADH, 2 CO2, 3 H+, and 1 FADH2. Since 2 molecules of acetyl CoA are formed from two pyruvic acid molecules produced in glycolysis, the overall output of these molecules double. Thus, 2 ATP, 4 CO2, 6 H+, 6 NADH, and 2 FADH2 are generated.
- Oxidative phosphorylation yields between 32-34 ATP molecules from each glucose. This process obtains electrons from NADH and FADH2 that then combine with oxygen. The energy yielded from these oxidation/reduction reactions is used to fuel the synthesis of ATP from ADP.
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