Question

Imagine that a toxin is introduced to the body and inhibits the establishment of the proton gradient in the intermembrane space. What would you predict would be the result? a. NADH would be oxidized b. Fermentation could not occur c. Substrate-level phosphorylation would be inhibited d. Pyruvate would be unable to enter the Citric acid cycle e. ATP synthase would be unable to produce ATP

Answer 1

Answer:

ATP synthase would be unable to produce ATP

Explanation:

ATP synthase depends on the proton gradient in the intermembrane space to enable it to produce ATP. As a consequence of this, the toxin will make it inactive. Oxidative phosphorylation is now inhibited in this case, as opposed to substrate-level phosphorylation.

Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis, and it will not be affected by a toxin. NADH is very important in the establishing of a proton gradient, so it is expected that it would be unable to be oxidized due to the toxin. Protons produced in the conversion of NADH to NAD+ actually establish the proton gradient. If the gradient is absent, NADH is then not likely to be oxidized.