During cellular oxidation of Glucose, ATP is produced along with formation of other products in this reaction. Which of the following events is associated with production of maximum ATP molecules per molecule of Glucose during this process? Synthesis of

options

1. Ethanol in yeast
2. Lactic acid in muscle cells
3. Carbon dioxide in yeast cells
4. Carbon dioxide in human cells

Carbon dioxide in human cells

Reason — The breakdown of glucose inside cells to release energy is called cellular respiration and it can occur either aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen).

• The aerobic respiration of glucose occurs in human cells (and most animal cells) and involves the complete oxidation of glucose into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), releasing a large amount of energy. This process yields about 38 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose, which is the maximum possible ATP output.
• In contrast, anaerobic respiration produces far less energy as in yeast, glucose is converted into ethanol and CO₂, yielding only 2 ATP molecules.
• In muscle cells under low oxygen, glucose is converted to lactic acid, also producing just 2 ATP molecules.

Thus, the formation of carbon dioxide in human cells occurs during aerobic respiration, which is associated with the maximum production of ATP per glucose molecule.