How many calories are theoretically released from the complete oxidation of glucose?

The complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose theoretically releases approximately 36,000 calories of energy. This process occurs during cellular respiration, where glucose undergoes glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, resulting in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - the energy currency of the cell.

The full oxidation of glucose (C6H12O6) can yield around 36 ATP molecules, considering the contributions from glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Each ATP molecule stores roughly 7.3 kilocalories of energy. When this is calculated, it results in an approximate total energy yield of around 36,000 calories (or 36 kilocalories) from one molecule of glucose.

This value can vary slightly depending on factors such as the efficiency of the electron transport chain and the specific conditions within the cell. However, the recognized theoretical value often cited in biochemistry is around 36,000 calories for complete glucose oxidation. Thus, understanding the biochemical pathways and the energy conversion processes is essential for grasping why this specific amount is associated with glucose metabolism.