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Multiple Choice
What is the net ATP gain during glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration?
A
2 ATP
B
6 ATP
C
8 ATP
D
4 ATP
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where one glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate.
Recognize that glycolysis involves a series of ten enzymatic reactions, which can be divided into two phases: the energy investment phase and the energy payoff phase.
In the energy investment phase, 2 ATP molecules are used to phosphorylate glucose and its intermediates, preparing them for subsequent reactions.
In the energy payoff phase, 4 ATP molecules are produced through substrate-level phosphorylation, along with the reduction of NAD+ to NADH.
Calculate the net ATP gain by subtracting the ATP used in the energy investment phase from the ATP produced in the energy payoff phase: \( \text{Net ATP} = 4 \text{ ATP produced} - 2 \text{ ATP used} \).