Most of the large, fast-flowing rivers in the northwest United States are blocked by human-made dams. Water is directed through pipes in each dam that lead to hydroelectric generators. The generators in these dams create electricity as water rushes past them. This is most similar to which of the following metabolic processes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The passage of water through the generators in hydroelectric dams is similar to the passage of hydrogen ions through ATP synthase in the production of ATP. In both cases, the movement of particles generates energy that can be used to do work, such as powering a lightbulb or contracting a muscle. The other metabolic processes listed (glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and electron transport by NADH) do not involve the generation of mechanical energy in the same way.

Most of the Large, Fast-Flowing Rivers in the Northwest United