Asked in NUMS 2014 2014

During cellular respiration NADH2 produces:

Correct answer: B. 3 ATP

  • A. 2 ATP
  • B. 3 ATP
  • C. 4 ATP
  • D. 5 ATP

Explanation

During cellular respiration, NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an important electron carrier that plays a key role in generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of cells. The correct option is:3 ATPExplanation:2 ATP: This option is incorrect. NADH itself does not directly produce ATP; rather, it helps in the process of ATP generation.3 ATP: This option is correct. During cellular respiration, NADH is oxidized, and the electrons it carries are passed through the electron transport chain (ETC) in the inner mitochondrial membrane. As electrons move through the ETC, they release energy, which is used to pump protons (H+ ions) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space. This creates an electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.The flow of protons back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase harnesses this energy to produce ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. For every pair of electrons transferred by NADH through the ETC, approximately 3 molecules of ATP are synthesized. Therefore, each NADH molecule produces around 3 ATP molecules.4 ATP: This option is incorrect. As mentioned earlier, NADH produces approximately 3 ATP molecules, not 4.5 ATP: This option is incorrect. NADH does not produce 5 ATP molecules during cellular respiration. The actual yield is closer to 3 ATP molecules per NADH molecule.In summary, NADH, through its role in the electron transport chain, contributes to the production of approximately 3 ATP molecules per NADH molecule during cellular respiration.

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About Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration releases energy from glucose through glycolysis, the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. The pathway differs in oxygen availability: aerobic respiration uses oxygen and yields more ATP, while anaerobic respiration produces much less ATP and forms lactic acid in muscles or ethanol and carbon dioxide in yeast.

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