How many molecules of ATP are formed when a pair of electrons from NADH are pass

Question

How many molecules of ATP are formed when a pair of electrons from NADH are passed down the electron transport chain to oxygen? Is the number an integer or not? Experiments to answer these questions have been done using an oxygen electrode and mitochondria in suspension to study the effects of various combinations of substrates and inhibitors. In such a system, when mitochondria are added to a solution containing -hydroxybutarate (oxidizable to produce NADH) there is an initial burst of oxygen consumption followed by a decrease to a slow, background rate. When the rate has stabilized, addition of 500 nmol of ADP causes a dramatic increase in oxygen consumption. However, after a 200 nmol of O2 are used up, the rate again returns to the background rate. How many moles of ATP were synthesized for each mole of electrons transferred down the electron transport system (the P/e- ratio)?

Explanation / Answer

Ans: A.The p/e ratio is 2.5.

ATP synthesis is tightly coupled to electron transfer through the ETS. In these conditions, the ratio of ATP produced per mole of electron consumed (P/e ratio) is about 2.5.

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