Refer to the table below, showing data collected from experiments using purified soybean mitochondria incubated in buffer containing compound X, compound Y, or no additions.Three different assays were performed on each group of mitochondria to determine the rate of oxygen uptake, ATP synthesis, and formation of a hydrogen ion gradient.The results are expressed as a percentage relative to the control group. Which conclusion is consistent with these results?

Question

Refer to the table below, showing data collected from experiments using purified soybean mitochondria incubated in buffer containing compound X, compound Y, or no additions.Three different assays were performed on each group of mitochondria to determine the rate of oxygen uptake, ATP synthesis, and formation of a hydrogen ion gradient.The results are expressed as a percentage relative to the control group.  Which conclusion is consistent with these results?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data shows that both compound X and compound Y reduce the rate of oxygen uptake and ATP synthesis, indicating that they both affect the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Additionally, compound X causes a significant decrease in the formation of a hydrogen ion gradient, which is typically indicative of an uncoupling effect. In contrast, compound Y does not significantly affect the hydrogen ion gradient, suggesting that it may be specifically inhibiting a protein in the respiratory chain. Therefore, the most consistent conclusion is that compound X uncouples electron transport from ATP synthesis while compound Y inhibits a protein in the respiratory chain.

Refer to the Table Below, Showing Data Collected from Experiments