The correct answer is C. 38.
The complete oxidation of glucose is a complex process that takes place in the mitochondria of cells. It involves glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Glycolysis is the first step in the complete oxidation of glucose. It takes place in the cytoplasm of cells and produces two pyruvate molecules.
Pyruvate is then transported into the mitochondria, where it is converted into acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA enters the Krebs cycle, which produces NADH, FADH2, and ATP.
NADH and FADH2 are electron carriers that transport electrons to the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain is a series of proteins located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. It uses the energy from the electrons to pump protons across the inner membrane. The protons then flow back through ATP synthase, which uses the energy to produce ATP.
The complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose produces 38 ATP molecules.
Option A is incorrect because it is the number of ATP molecules produced by glycolysis.
Option B is incorrect because it is the number of ATP molecules produced by the Krebs cycle.
Option D is incorrect because it is the number of ATP molecules produced by the electron transport chain.