AAMC 10 - The Mechanism by Which DDT affects ATP production is by increasing the

[MedicalMan14]

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Referring to question 100:

Now the answer is C: However, despite the 'confusing explanation AAMC provides' I still am under the impression that an increase in diffusion of H+ through the inner mitochondrial membrane would AID ATP production, not impede it. Can someone explain where I am going wrong?

 

[WhizoMD]

spoiler alert?

 

[coach55]

Referring to question 100:

Now the answer is C: However, despite the 'confusing explanation AAMC provides' I still am under the impression that an increase in diffusion of H+ through the inner mitochondrial membrane would AID ATP production, not impede it. Can someone explain where I am going wrong?

Why would it impede it? The flow of H+ through the ATP Synthase (Complex V) is an exergonic process anyway. So I would think it would aid ATP production.
On the other hand, you would need an increased amount of H+ concentration for increased diffusion. More H+ concentration means more NADH & FADH2 dropping their electrons to the Electron Transport Chain. More NADH & FADH2 present = More ATP production.
Maybe another reason it would not impede is that we can't always have an increased amount of H+ concentration. Otherwise cells would die...thats why we breathe and O2 gets reduced to water.

I didn't buy AAMC 10 yet so I don't know what the question is asking ...so I hope I answered your question 😀

 

[SN2ed]

Thread moved. Topics of this nature belong in the Study Q&A.

 

[SleepyGator888]

I havent taken this test yet, but it makes sense that it would impede ATP synthase.

Through the electron transport chain, H+ moves across the inner membrane into the intermembrane space, forming a concentration gradient with more H+ in the inner membrane space than in the matrix.

What makes ATP synthase work is essentially that you have all of this H+ and the only way for it to get back to the other side is by going through ATP synthase. The concentration gradient allows for work to be done.


Diffusion is a passive process that would occur down this gradient, so if H+ could diffuse across the membrane, eventually it would reach equilibrium and significantly less H+ would go through ATP synthase.

I think (and again i havent taken this test) where you're going wrong is in the idea of diffusion. You seem to be thinking that more H+ would "diffuse" into the intermembrane space, thus resulting in more H+ going through ATP synthase. However, Diffusion implies going down a concentration gradient, so it's more likely that the H+ would diffuse OUT of the intermembrane space and into the matrix, essentially reversing all the work done by the ETC.

Sorry if this is long. First post, tired, MCAT in 3 days, can't sleep, trolling SDN.

 

[loveoforganic]

I think the above is spot on