When electrons from the cofactors reduced by breakdown of one glucose are transferred to oxygen in mitochondria, the process is coupled to the formation of _______ molecules of ATP.
A) 2
B) 10-12
C) 22-24
D) 32-34

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process of electron transfer from the cofactors to oxygen in the mitochondria is also called oxidative phosphorylation. The energy produced by this flow of electrons is used to pump protons across the mitochondrial inner membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. This gradient drives the synthesis of ATP by ATP synthase. It is estimated that each NADH molecule generates 2.5 ATP molecules and each FADH2 molecule generates 1.5 ATP molecules. Therefore, the total number of ATP molecules generated per glucose molecule in oxidative phosphorylation is approximately 32-34.

When Electrons from the Cofactors Reduced by Breakdown of One