Question

The net number of molecule(s) of NADH formed from one molecule of glucose in glycolysis under aerobic conditions is/are _______.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2

To determine the net number of NADH molecules produced from one molecule of glucose during glycolysis, we break down the pathway: Glycolysis is the process by which glucose (a 6-carbon molecule) is converted into two molecules of pyruvate (3-carbon molecules). During glycolysis, several key reactions lead to the production of energy carriers. Step-by-step, we consider the two phases of glycolysis: the energy-investment phase, and the energy-payoff phase.

• Energy-Investment Phase: This phase uses 2 ATP molecules. It does not produce any NADH.
• Energy-Payoff Phase: In this phase, each of the two 3-carbon molecules (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate) is converted to pyruvate. During this conversion, 1 NAD⁺ is reduced to 1 NADH per molecule of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, resulting in 2 NADH per glucose.

Therefore, the net production of NADH in the glycolysis of one molecule of glucose is 2 NADH.

This value falls within the specified range (2, 2), confirming it is the correct solution. Thus, the net number of NADH molecules formed is:

2