Theoretical vs. Actual ATP Yield

[Physics Guy1421]

If we are to come across a question on the DAT asking ATP yield during any step in respiration do we answer with actual or theoretical yield? I'm reading the Raven & Johnson textbook and it says theoretically 36 ATP should be produced from one molecule of glucose, but the actual ATP yield is 30 ATP.

For example if the question asks how many ATP are yielded from one molecule of glucose and 30 and 36 are both in the answer choices. I don't think this would be a question, but I've spent alot of time on respiration and I don't want to get the one question that might be asked on it wrong!

Any advice???

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[Mstoothlady2012]

I think it would be 36...i havnt read about 30 before.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

I don't know why standardize tests all say it is 36 ATP. If you take any advance class or look at any literature they say that the theoretical yield for ATP is 30 (some say 32.) It has been found that NADH from the kreb's cycle yield a max of 2.5 ATP and FADH2 is more around 1 ATP. So for the purposes of the DAT or MCAT, the test makers decide to stick with the old number of 36 ATP for aerobic respiration. However, if your molecular cell biology professor or biochemistry professor asks you how much ATP is produced from glycolysis and aerobic respiration, say around 30.

 

[Lonely Sol]

This is what I've found out about this:

___________Eukaryotes____________Prokaryotes
DAT says:_____36___________________38
MCAT says:____34___________________36
Exp. Yield:_____30___________________32

Now who he is right, I dont know but if I were to get a question on the test, i would go with 36 and 38

 

[Physics Guy1421]

Thank you so much you guys really clarified this for me and I can rest assured now. Thanks again!