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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. 

  1. 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). 
  2. 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. 
  3. Oxidative phosphorylationyields 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.