A mitochondrion makes 36 ATP by ATP synthase…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A mitochondrion makes ATP by ATP synthase. Two protons pass through F for each ATP. Suppose that all the electrons came from NADH, and that each NADH gives ATP.
- How many protons pass through F?
- How many NADH were oxidised?
- How many oxygen molecules were used?
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Electrons in the chain pump protons into the intermembrane space. The protons flow back through ATP synthase, whose F head makes ATP and whose F part is the channel. Two protons pass for each ATP. Without oxygen the chain stops. Substrate level phosphorylation needs no membrane, and photophosphorylation is driven by light.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. ATP: . Protons for each ATP: . ATP for each NADH: .
Plan. Find the protons, then the NADH, then the oxygen.
Step 1. Protons. .
Step 2. NADH. .
Step 3. Oxygen. One water for each NADH, so waters, and oxygen molecules.
Answer: protons; NADH; oxygen molecules.
Check. The NADH each give ATP, and .
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