Table of Contents
- 1 Why is there not an exact number of ATP produced?
- 2 Why is it that in prokaryotes they get 38 ATP glucose and eukaryotes only get 36?
- 3 Why is the number of ATP generated different?
- 4 Why do eukaryotes generate only about 36 ATP?
- 5 Why is it difficult to calculate the actual maximum ATP yield of respiration in a prokaryotic cell?
- 6 What causes the difference between the theoretical and actual yield of ATP in aerobic respiration?
Why is there not an exact number of ATP produced?
The total number of ATP is not known exactly and is due to variance in the degree of coupling between the flow of protons through the ATPase and electron transport. ATP – Adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell are organic compounds composed of the phosphate groups, adenine and sugar ribose.
Why is it that in prokaryotes they get 38 ATP glucose and eukaryotes only get 36?
In prokaryotes, there are no mitochondria, the whole process of respiration occurs within the cytoplasm so no ATP is consumed in transporting across the organelle. Therefore, 38 ATPs are made from one glucose in bacteria while 36 are made in a eukaryotic cell.
Why is the actual yield of ATP likely to be lower in a cell?
The actual yield of ATP is less than the theoretical yield because some protons leak across the mitochondrial membrane, hence, less gradient is generated. ATP is also utilised to transport pyruvate to mitochondria.
Why is the actual number of ATP molecules produced from aerobic respiration of glucose less than the theoretical number?
Although there is a theoretical yield of 38 ATP molecules per glucose during cellular respiration, such conditions are generally not realized because of losses such as the cost of moving pyruvate (from glycolysis), phosphate, and ADP (substrates for ATP synthesis) into the mitochondria.
Why is the number of ATP generated different?
The number of ATP molecules generated via the catabolism of glucose can vary substantially. For example, the number of hydrogen ions the electron transport chain complexes can pump through the membrane varies between species. NAD+ is used as the electron transporter in the liver, and FAD+ acts in the brain.
Why do eukaryotes generate only about 36 ATP?
Everything is the same in eukaryotes except that the 2 NADHs produced in glycolysis (in the cytoplasm) must be brought into the mitochondrion at a cost of some energy, usually estimated to be 1 ATP per NADH…. so in eukaryotes we usually say you get just 36 ATPs.
Why do eukaryotes produce less ATP?
In reality, the total ATP yield is usually less, ranging from one to 34 ATP molecules, depending on whether the cell is using aerobic respiration or anaerobic respiration; in eukaryotic cells, some energy is expended to transport intermediates from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria, affecting ATP yield.
Can you then calculate how many ATP molecules are directly Synthesised?
During glycolysis, a total 4 ATPs are formed out of which 2 are consumed. So, 24 ATPs are directly formed during the glycolysis cycle of by 6 molecules of glucose.
Why is it difficult to calculate the actual maximum ATP yield of respiration in a prokaryotic cell?
Determining the exact yield of ATP for aerobic respiration is difficult for a number of reasons. For every pair of electrons transported to the electron transport chain by a molecule of NADH, between 2 and 3 ATP are generated. For each pair of electrons transferred by FADH2, between 1 and 2 ATP are generated.
What causes the difference between the theoretical and actual yield of ATP in aerobic respiration?
What causes the difference between the theoretical and actual yields of ATP in aerobic respiration? ATP is spent transporting ADP and pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix. Protons leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane without using ATP synthase.