ATP yield of fermentation in bacteria Most bacterial fermentations generate how many net ATP molecules per molecule of glucose?

Introduction / Context:
Fermentation is a strategy to reoxidize NADH to NAD⁺ in the absence of an electron transport chain, enabling glycolysis to continue. Energy capture is limited to substrate-level phosphorylation. Knowing the net ATP yield is fundamental to comparing metabolic strategies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Glycolysis net ATP: 2 ATP per glucose.
• Fermentation pathways regenerate NAD⁺ but do not add ATP beyond glycolytic substrate-level phosphorylation.
• No oxidative phosphorylation occurs in fermentation.

Concept / Approach:
Regardless of the fermentation end product (lactate, ethanol, mixed acids), the ATP yield comes exclusively from glycolysis. The net is 2 ATP per glucose because 2 ATP are invested and 4 ATP are produced at substrate-level phosphorylation steps (net gain 2). Fermentation endpoints serve redox balance, not additional ATP gain.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Account for ATP in glycolysis: invest 2, harvest 4 → net 2 ATP.Recognize fermentation adds no further ATP via an ETC.Therefore, total net ATP per glucose under fermentation is 2.

Verification / Alternative check:
Comparisons with aerobic respiration (30–38 ATP depending on convention) underscore how fermentation yields are minimal, explaining slower growth and higher substrate demand under fermentative conditions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 1 or 0: underestimate yield; glycolysis contributes 2 ATP net.
• 4 or 6: overestimate; no ETC-driven ATP is added in fermentation.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing gross ATP produced (4) with net (2) in glycolysis; forgetting ATP investment steps early in the pathway.

Final Answer:
2.