Question

A glucose molecule is completely broken down upon completion of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. however, these two processes yield only a few atps. what other energy carrier(s) that can be used to synthesize more atps is/are also generated during these processes?

Answer 1

In both the process of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle; yes ATP is produced albeit in a very low amount. Another byproduct of these pathways are the production of reducing compounds such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and reduced flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH). These reducing compounds are used in the electron transport chain to produce a proton gradient, and with a proton gradient, the enzyme ATP synthase will synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.