Three organisms were tested biochemically for their production of energy, and various compounds were measured in each organism. The amounts found are shown in relative units.
Organisms ATP NADH NADPH FADH2 Ethanol
1 20 100 0 0 50
2 350 400 0 100 1
3 500 410 200 100 1
Based on this data, identify what kind of organism each is and explain why.
To identify the type of organism based on the given biochemical data, we need to analyze the relative amounts of ATP, NADH, NADPH, FADH2, and ethanol in each organism.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule that stores and transports chemical energy within cells. NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form) are coenzymes involved in the transfer of electrons during cellular respiration and photosynthesis, respectively. FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) is another coenzyme involved in energy metabolism. Ethanol is an organic compound produced by the fermentation of sugars.
Let's analyze the data for each organism:
Organism 1:
- ATP: 20
- NADH: 100
- NADPH: 0
- FADH2: 0
- Ethanol: 50
From the data, Organism 1 has low levels of ATP, moderate levels of NADH, no detectable NADPH, no FADH2, and a significant amount of ethanol. This suggests that Organism 1 is likely a yeast or some other type of microorganism that primarily produces energy through fermentation, converting sugars into ethanol.
Organism 2:
- ATP: 350
- NADH: 400
- NADPH: 0
- FADH2: 100
- Ethanol: 1
In Organism 2, we observe high levels of ATP, NADH, and FADH2. However, there is no detectable NADPH, and only a negligible amount of ethanol is produced. This pattern of high ATP, NADH, FADH2, and low ethanol production indicates that Organism 2 might be a eukaryotic organism, such as a plant or animal, as they rely mainly on cellular respiration for energy production.
Organism 3:
- ATP: 500
- NADH: 410
- NADPH: 200
- FADH2: 100
- Ethanol: 1
Organism 3 shows high levels of ATP, NADH, NADPH, and FADH2, similar to Organism 2. However, Organism 3 also produces a small amount of ethanol. This suggests that Organism 3 could be a type of yeast or microorganism that undergoes both respiration and fermentation, utilizing different metabolic pathways for energy production.
In summary, based on the relative amounts of ATP, NADH, NADPH, FADH2, and ethanol, Organism 1 likely undergoes fermentation (e.g., yeast), Organism 2 engages in cellular respiration (e.g., plant or animal), and Organism 3 may have the ability to perform both respiration and fermentation (e.g., some yeast species or facultative anaerobes).