A violation of the First Law? The complete combustion of glucose to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP, as shown in Table 18.4 . However, the synthesis of glucose requires only 18 ATP. How is it possible that glucose synthesis from CO 2 and H 2 O requires only 18 ATP , but combustion to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP? Is it a violation of the First Law of Thermodynamics , or perhaps a miracle?
A violation of the First Law? The complete combustion of glucose to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP, as shown in Table 18.4 . However, the synthesis of glucose requires only 18 ATP. How is it possible that glucose synthesis from CO 2 and H 2 O requires only 18 ATP , but combustion to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP? Is it a violation of the First Law of Thermodynamics , or perhaps a miracle?
Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
Related questions
Question
A violation of the First Law? The complete combustion of glucose to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP, as shown in Table 18.4 . However, the synthesis of glucose requires only 18 ATP. How is it possible that glucose synthesis from CO 2 and H 2 O requires only 18 ATP , but combustion to CO 2 and H 2 O yields 30 ATP? Is it a violation of the First Law of

Transcribed Image Text:TABLE 18.4 ATP yield from the complete oxidation of glucose
Reaction sequence
Glycolysis: Conversion of glucose into pyruvate (in the cytoplasm)
Phosphorylation of glucose
Phosphorylation
Dephosphorylation
of fructose 6-phosphate
of 2 molecules of 1,3-BPG
Dephosphorylation of 2 molecules of phosphoenolpyruvate
2 molecules of NADH are formed in the oxidation
of 2 molecules of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
Conversion of pyruvate into acetyl CoA (inside mitochondria)
2 molecules of NADH are formed
Citric acid cycle (inside mitochondria)
2 molecules of adenosine triphosphate are formed
from 2 molecules of succinyl CoA
6 molecules of NADH are formed in the oxidation of 2 molecules
each of isocitrate, a-ketoglutarate, and malate
2 molecules of FADH, are formed in the oxidation of 2 molecules
of succinate
Oxidative phosphorylation (inside mitochondria)
2 molecules of NADH formed in glycolysis; each
yields 1.5 molecules of ATP (assuming transport of NADH by
the glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle)
2 molecules of NADH formed in the oxidative decarboxylation
of pyruvate; each yields 2.5 molecules of ATP
2 molecules of FADH, formed in the citric acid cycle; each
yields 1.5 molecules of ATP
6 molecules of NADH formed in the citric acid cycle; each
yields 2.5 molecules of ATP
ATP yield per
glucose molecule
TT++
-1
+2
+2
+2
+3
+5
+3
+15
Net Yield per Molecule of Glucose
+30
Information on the ATP yield of oxidative phosphorylation is from values given in P. C. Hinkle, M. A.
Kumar, A. Resetar, and D. L. Harris, Biochemistry 30:3576, 1991.
Note: The current value of 30 molecules of ATP per molecule of glucose supersedes the earlier value of 36
molecules of ATP. The stoichiometries of proton pumping, ATP synthesis, and metabolite transport should
be regarded as estimates. About 2 more molecules of ATP are formed per molecule of glucose oxidized when
the malate-aspartate shuttle rather than the glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle is used.
Expert Solution

This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps

Follow-up Questions
Read through expert solutions to related follow-up questions below.
Follow-up Question
Please show the energetical math for why it is not a violation of the first law, such as by including talking of NADH (or NADPH) and the like.
Solution
Recommended textbooks for you

Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman

Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY

Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman

Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY

Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305961135
Author:
Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougal
Publisher:
Cengage Learning

Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305577206
Author:
Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:
Cengage Learning

Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9780134015187
Author:
John E. McMurry, David S. Ballantine, Carl A. Hoeger, Virginia E. Peterson
Publisher:
PEARSON