Question

Oxidation of one molecule of $NADH+H^{+}$ yields ______ molecules of ATP.

• A. 3
• B. 2
• C. 8
• D. 38

Answer 1

The correct option is A 3

Oxidation of one molecule of $NADH+H^{+}$ yields 3 molecules of ATP. NADH stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen.

During the complete oxidation of glucose, 10 molecules of $NADH+H^{+}$ are produced.
2 molecules of $NADH+H^{+}$ are produced during glycolysis.
2 molecules of $NADH+H^{+}$ are produced during oxidative decarboxylation of 2 molecules of pyruvate.
6 molecules of $NADH+H^{+}$ are produced during two turns of the Krebs cycle.

$NADH+H^{+}$ undergoes oxidation and releases electrons that are accepted by the electron carriers of the ETC present in the inner mitochondrial membrane. As the electrons move through different complexes, they release energy. This energy is utilized to pump protons from the matrix to the intermembrane space. The protons accumulate in the intermembrane space and this increases the concentration of protons in the intermembrane space and creates a driving force.

The protons move through the complex V (ATP synthase) into the matrix from the intermembrane space. Complex V has two components, $F_0$ and $F_1$. $F_0$ forms the channel for the passage of protons and $F_1$ has a site for the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.