Question

What creates four atp molecules, but then gains overall only two?

Answer 1

The process is known as anaerobic respiration, the less efficient counterpart to aerobic respiration.

It also produces alcohol (ethanol) in plant cells and lactic acid in animal cells as biproducts.

Answer 2

The correct answer is glycolysis.

Explanation:

Glycolysis is the set of chemical reactions that takes place in cellular respiration. It is the initial stage of cellular respiration. In this cycle, one molecule of glucose produces 4 ATP, 2 NADH, and 2 molecules of pyruvate.

Although 4 ATP molecules are generated in the second half of the cycle, the net gain of 2 ATP because 2 ATP are used in the initial half of glycolysis.

Thus, the correct answer is glycolysis.