Read Proton Flow Through the ATP-Synthase System
Proton movement through the mitochondrial ATP-synthase system is coupled to ATP production.
Living-system questions are solved by matching a structure or organism to its function, process and stated condition.
Connect oxidation to ATP
Carbon compounds are oxidised in controlled stages. The question uses the textbook convention that about four protons returning to the matrix across the ATP-synthase/transport system support one ATP equivalent.
Solve proton-count questions
When a question supplies 10 H+ pumped per NADH, 4 H+ per ATP, and 110 total H+, divide 110 by 10 to obtain 11 NADH and 110 by 4 to obtain 27.5 ATP, reported as approximately 28 using the stated convention. Follow the question's assumptions.
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- ✓Respiration is multistep oxidation.
- ✓Use the stated proton-coupling convention when solving this item.
The four-proton accounting includes transport costs; do not assume every proton passes through the ATP-synthase pore itself.
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