The famous scientists: Drs: I.M. Awesome; G. Golly; and Y. Bother, are discussin

Question

The famous scientists: Drs: I.M. Awesome; G. Golly; and Y. Bother, are discussing metabolism. Dr. Awesome states that he has discovered a bacteria that will undergo the following reaction:

H2O + acetyl-CoA + ADP + Pi ---> acetate + ATP + CoA

The acetate is then excreted into the environment instead of being used in the TCA cycle. Dr. Awesome further states that this reaction will increase the amount ATP formed under aerobic conditions as compared to conventional metabolism. Dr. Golly disagrees, stating that the ATP yeild will indeed increase by one under anaerobic conditions but not under aerobic conditions. Dr. Bother disagrees with both of his colleagues, stating that the ATP yield will not increase under either condition and the reaction will in fact be detrimental to the organism. Assuming that the reaction is thermodynamically feasible as written, which scientist is correct in their interpretation of this reaction? Explain your reasoning?

Explanation / Answer

Glycolysis is the universal pathway that results in production 2 net ATP. In aerobic respiration, the pyruvate is converted to acetyl Co.A that enters citric acid cycle. The citric acid cycle is followed by oxidative phosphorylation and ETC to form a total of 38 ATP. In contrast, in aerobic respiration the pyruvate is converted to form lactate. Thus, the net ATP in anaerobic respiration is 2 ATP.

Hence, the production of ATP is high in aerobic reaction when compared to anaerobic reaction. In addition, acetyl Co.A involvement is important.

Thus, Dr. Y. Bother is correct when compared to remaining scientists. This is because certain organisms adopted themselves to grow in anaerobic conditions though the production of ATP is low in anaerobic conditions. Similarly certain organisms can grow only in aerobic conditions.

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