Which of the Following Processes Forms the Most ATP

Question

Which of the following processes forms the most ATP?
A) Glycolysis
B) Conversion of glucose to glycogen
C) Aerobic catabolism of glucose
D) Catabolism of glucose to lactic acid

Accepted Answer

The aerobic catabolism of glucose through cellular respiration in the mitochondria is the process that produces the most ATP. This process can yield up to 36-38 ATP molecules per glucose molecule, while glycolysis only produces 2 ATP molecules and the conversion of glucose to glycogen does not produce ATP at all. The catabolism of glucose to lactic acid occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces only 2 ATP molecules, making it less efficient than aerobic respiration.