How many molecules of ATP will be synthesized by the complete oxidation of one molecule of fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate to carbon dioxide and water by a liver cell? Show your work.
To determine the number of molecules of ATP synthesized by the complete oxidation of one molecule of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) to carbon dioxide and water, we need to understand the process of oxidative phosphorylation in cellular respiration.
1. First, we need to know that fructose 1,6-bisphosphate is an intermediate in the process of glycolysis, where glucose is broken down to produce energy.
2. Glycolysis itself produces a small amount of ATP (net gain of 2 ATP molecules) and some electron carriers, such as NADH.
3. The electron carriers (NADH) generated in glycolysis need to be shuttled into the mitochondria, where the oxidative phosphorylation occurs.
4. Once inside the mitochondria, the NADH donates electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC), which ultimately generates ATP.
5. The reduction of each NADH molecule via the ETC generates enough energy to synthesize approximately 2.5 ATP molecules (dependent on the ATP-ADP ratio and transport mechanisms).
6. During the oxidation of one molecule of FBP, 2 molecules of NADH are generated.
Now, let's calculate the number of molecules of ATP synthesized by the complete oxidation of one molecule of FBP:
1 molecule of FBP generates 2 molecules of NADH during glycolysis.
Each molecule of NADH, when oxidized in the mitochondria, can generate approximately 2.5 ATP.
Therefore, 2 molecules of NADH x 2.5 ATP/molecule of NADH = 5 ATP molecules.
Hence, the complete oxidation of one molecule of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to carbon dioxide and water by a liver cell can produce approximately 5 molecules of ATP.