How Many ATP Molecules Are Directly Synthesised In This Pathway From One Glucose Molecule

In general, 2 ATP molecules are directly synthesised in this pathway from one glucose molecule in Glycolysis.However, different pathways produce different amount of ATP molecules. Let us discuss in detail.

Introduction to ATP

ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate. They are the energy-carrying molecules found in the cells of all living beings. They capture chemical energy from the breakdown of food molecules and release it to fuel other cellular processes.The "energy currency of a cell" is ATP.. It is made up of pentose ribose sugar, the nitrogenous compound adenine and three phosphate groups. Energy is released on the breakdown of phosphate bonds in ATP.

Formation of ATP

It takes place in a highly endothermic reaction when ADP and inorganic phosphate combine to produce ATP. The primary particles on the inner face of the crista membrane contain the ATP synthetase, which is sometimes referred to as an ATPase. Isolated primary particles catalyse the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and phosphate. A multi-subunit enzyme with three comparable catalytic sites is ATP synthetase.

Each site is experiencing the reaction at a distinct stage at any given time:

• One site is binding ADP and phosphate.

• One site is catalysing the condensation of ADP and phosphate, and expelling and water.

• One location is releasing ATP and is prepared to take in ADP and phosphate.

Protons enter through the primary particle's stalk, which spans the crista membrane, and as they do so, they rotate the ATP synthetase's central region, compelling each site to go on to the next stage of the reaction one at a time.

When ADP is present, electron transport and substrate oxidation can happen. The central region of the ATP synthase cannot rotate and protons cannot pass the stalk of the primary particle if there is no ADP available to bind to the vacant site. As a result, there is an accumulation of protons in the crista region, which prevents the electron transport chain from further expelling protons, stopping electron transport and, consequently, substrate oxidation.

Pathways Include in The Formation of ATP

• Glycosis- In glycolysis, glucose( a six-carbon sugar) undergoes a series of chemical transformations.Two pyruvate molecules, which are organic molecules with three carbons, are ultimately generated from it.. ATP is produced in these processes, while NAD+ is changed into NADH.

• Pyruvateoxidation-The mitochondrial matrix, the deepest compartment of the mitochondria, receives each pyruvate produced during glycolysis.There, it is changed into the two-carbon molecule acetyl CoA, which is connected to Coenzyme A. NADH is produced and carbon dioxide is liberated.

• Citric acid cycle-Through a series of reactions, the four-carbon starting molecule is eventually recreated when the acetyl CoA created in the previous step is combined with another four-carbon molecule. In addition to the emission of carbon dioxide, ATP, NADH, and FADH2 are generated.

• Oxidative Phosphorylation-The NADH and FADH2 are made in other steps deposit their electrons in the election transport chain, turning back into their “empty” forms (NAD+ and FAD ). As protons are pumped out of the matrix and electrons move down the chain, releasing energy in the process, a gradient is generated. By the creation of ATP by the enzyme ATP synthase, protons flow back into the matrix. At the end of the electron transport chain, oxygen accepts electrons and picks up protons to produce water.

Conclusion

A net of 2 ATP is produced by glycolysis, which also uses 2 ATP molecules to create 4 ATP molecules. Two ATP molecules are generated by the Krebs cycle. Between 32- 34 ATP molecules are produced by the electron transport pathway.