IV. Electron transport chain/oxidative phosphorylation. As noted in question III

Question

IV. Electron transport chain/oxidative phosphorylation. As noted in question III.4 above, oxidation of glucose to CO2 via glycolysis and PDH/citric acid cycle yields some ATP/GTP and the high-energy electron carriers NADH and FADH2. Now we will explore how the energy from NADH and FADH2 is used to generate additional ATP. 1. What molecules serve as electron donors to the mitochondrial electron transport chain? 2. Where do the electrons ultimately go that are donated from these molecules (i.e., what is the terminal electron acceptor)? 3. How many ATP are theoretically generated per NADH and FADH2, respectively? 4. How many ATP are actually generated per NADH and FADH2, respectively? How many NADH and FADH2 are generated in glycolysis and PDH/citric acid cycle per glucose oxidized? 5. Assuming all the NADH and FADH2 generated in glycolysis and the PDH/citric acid cycle are consumed in the electron transport chain, what is the theoretical net production of ATP in the electron transport chain per mole of glucose oxidized? What is the actual net production of ATP in the electron transport chain per mole of glucose oxidized? 6.

Explanation / Answer

IV. 1. NADH and FADH2

Electrons from NADH and FADH2 pass through the electron transport chain to a terminal electron acceptor (oxygen) via a series of redox reactions.

2. Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor which is reduced to water.

3. Teoretically, 3 ATP are produced from one NADH and 2 ATP are produced from one FADH2 with oxidative phosphorylation.

4. Actually, 2.5 ATP are produced from one NADH and 1.5 ATP are produced from one FADH2 with oxidative phosphorylation.

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