Question

During the process of cellular respiration, one molecule of glucose is capable of producing up to 32 molecules of ATP. Explain the mechanism by which ATP is produced by ATP synthase. Be sure your answer describes the structural features involved in this process.

Answer 1

Glucose produces NADH and FADH2 via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. Some ATP is produced in the process but is negligible. Most ATP is made by oxidative phosphorylation where NADH and FADH2 create a proton motive force along the inner mitochondrial membrane. In other words, the concentration of protons (H+) is high in the intermitochondrial space. The protons want to diffuse into the mitochondrial matrix and they do this by going through the ATP synthase protein which resembles a water turbine. As the protons move through the ATP synthase, ATP is produced. In essence the energy from H+ wanting to diffuse through the inner mitochondrial membrane is converted to energy in the form of ATP.

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Answer 2

The protons want to diffuse into the mitochondrial matrix and they do this by going through the ATP synthase protein which resembles a water turbine. As the protons move through the ATP synthase, ATP is produced. In essence the energy from H+ wanting to diffuse through the inner mitochondrial membrane is converted to energy in the form of ATP