3) In mitochondria there is a theoretical yield of 38 ATP molecules per molecule

Question

3) In mitochondria there is a theoretical yield of 38 ATP molecules per molecule of glucose if the glucose is fully oxidized into carbon dioxide (assuming 3 ATP from each NADH and 2 from each FADH2) but the actual total yield is 30 or 32 ATP molecules. What is the theoretical ATP yield for oxidation of a glucose molecule in E. coli? Explain where each ATP derives from in your answer. What do you expect to be the actual yield of ATP molecules per molecule of glucose? Explain your answer. (10 pts)

Explanation / Answer

The theoretical ATP yield in E.Coli is 38 ATP in which 34 ATP obtained from oxidative phosphorylation and 4 ATP from substrate level phosphorylation.

ATP obtained during the oxidation of glucose molecule is given below:

1. During the process of glycolysis - 2 net ATP (substrate level phosphorylation) and 2 NADH molecules produce 6 ATP i.e. each NADH mplecules produce 3 ATP (Oxidative phosphorylation).

2. During Transition reaction - 2 NADH produces 6 ATP molecules i.e. 3 ATP molecules per NADH.

3. TCA cycle- 2 ATP (substrate level phosphorylation), 2 FADH2 molecules produces 4 ATP (oxidative phosphorylation) and 6 NADH molecules produce 18 ATP ( 3ATP/NADH) by oxidative phosphorylation.

The actual ATP yield is lesser than the theoretical ATP yield because, it is impossible to attain 100 percent efficiency and ATP will be consumed for phosphate, pyruvate and ADP transport into the mitochondria. Thus, the actual amount is around 30-32 ATP.

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