Which of the following sequences correctly indicates the potential ATP yield of the indicated molecules from greatest ATP yield to least ATP yield?

Options

A. Pyruvate, ethanol, glucose, acetyl CoA
B. Glucose, pyruvate, acetyl CoA, NADH + `H^(+)`
C. Glucose, `FADH_(2)`, Acetyl CoA, pyruvate
D. Glucose, `FADH_(2)`, `NADH_(2)`, Pyruvate

Answer

To determine the correct sequence indicating the potential ATP yield from various molecules (glucose, pyruvate, acetyl coenzyme A, and NADH2) from greatest to least, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Molecules**: The molecules we need to analyze for ATP yield are glucose, pyruvate, acetyl coenzyme A, and NADH2.

2. **Understand the Energy Yield of Each Molecule**:
- **Glucose**: The complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose through glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation can yield a maximum of approximately 30-32 ATP molecules.
- **Pyruvate**: After glycolysis, pyruvate is converted into acetyl coenzyme A, which then enters the Krebs cycle. From one molecule of pyruvate, we can yield about 12.5 ATP (3 NADH = 7.5 ATP, 1 FADH2 = 1.5 ATP, and 1 GTP = 1 ATP).
- **Acetyl Coenzyme A**: Each acetyl coenzyme A that enters the Krebs cycle yields approximately 10 ATP (3 NADH = 7.5 ATP, 1 FADH2 = 1.5 ATP, and 1 GTP = 1 ATP).
- **NADH2**: Each NADH2 generated during metabolic processes yields about 2.5 ATP when it enters the electron transport chain.

3. **Rank the Molecules by ATP Yield**:
- **Greatest Yield**: Glucose (30-32 ATP)
- **Next**: Acetyl Coenzyme A (10 ATP)
- **Then**: Pyruvate (12.5 ATP)
- **Least Yield**: NADH2 (2.5 ATP)

4. **Determine the Correct Sequence**: Based on the ATP yields, the correct sequence from greatest to least ATP yield is:
- **Glucose > Acetyl Coenzyme A > Pyruvate > NADH2**

### Final Answer:
The correct sequence indicating the potential ATP yield from greatest to least is:
**Glucose > Acetyl Coenzyme A > Pyruvate > NADH2**