ATP turnover rate in hummingbirds at rest 2. Hummingbirds in flight have one of

Question

ATP turnover rate in hummingbirds at rest 2. Hummingbirds in flight have one of the highest rates of aerobic metabolism known among vertebrates and this can be 4 times higher than the metabolic rate at rest. One study found that at rest hummingbirds had a metabolic rate of 10 ml O,/g-hr while when hovering to feed from a flower this increased to 38 ml O /g hr (PNAS 87920792 10 1990) ATP turnover in hummingbirds that are actively hovering is-500 moleATP/g-min. In addition, the ratio of ATP production to O consumption ratio with carbohydrates is 6% higher per mole of O, compared to fats. a. Experiments have shown that hummingbirds utilize only carbohydrates when hovering to feed while at rest they utilize only fats. Calculate the ATP turnover rate in hummingbirds at rest. Clearly state any assumptions

Explanation / Answer

At rest as the metabolic rate is slow it is able to utilise only 10mL O2/g-hr. So when hovering they will be able to metabolise faster tht is at a rate of 38mL O2/g-hr. Assuming that the rate of metabolism is directly proportional to the ATP turnover hence the ATP turnover for resting phase will be 3.8 times lesser than that of the hovering phase.(rate of metabolism when hovering/rate of metabolism at rest = 38/10). So hence ATP turnover at rest is approximately 132 umol ATP/g-min but as during rest they utilise fats hence the rate will be 6% lower making the answer to be approximately 124umol ATP/g-min.

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