How many ATP are produced per NADH during oxidative phosphorylation?

During oxidative phosphorylation, each molecule of NADH that is produced during the Krebs cycle enters the electron transport chain, where it undergoes a series of redox reactions. As NADH is oxidized, it donates electrons to the complex I of the electron transport chain, initiating a process that moves protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the intermembrane space. This proton gradient creates a potential energy difference, which is subsequently used by ATP synthase to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ATP.

The theoretical yield of ATP from NADH is maximized at about 2.5 to 3 molecules of ATP per NADH when considering the chemiosmotic gradient created during electron transport. However, in many textbooks and resources, it is often simplified to the standard conversion of 3 ATP per NADH, primarily reflecting the energetic efficiency in ideal conditions in mitochondria.

Thus, considering this understanding of oxidative phosphorylation, the production of 3 ATP per molecule of NADH is an accepted figure in biochemical contexts, making this answer the most accurate.