Answer to Question #276112 in Cell Biology for Hutchii

Question

Why is it that prokaryotic cells gain more ATPs from glucose as compared to eukaryotic cells?

Answer 1

In prokaryotes, there are no mitochondria, the whole process of respiration occurs within the cytoplasm so no ATP is consumed in transporting across the organelle. Therefore, 38 ATPs are made from one glucose in bacteria while 36 are made in an eukaryotic cell. In Prokaryotes, the respiratory chain and phosphorylation chain are located in the Plasma membrane. Eukaryotes cells have a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope and have mitochondria.