Exemplar Problems

Question:

Describe the role of NADH in cellular respiration.

Answer:

  • NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration.

  • During glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, NADH is produced when it accepts high-energy electrons and hydrogen ions (H+) from metabolic reactions.

  • NADH serves as an electron carrier, shuttling these electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC) in the mitochondria.

  • In the ETC, the electrons are passed through a series of protein complexes, releasing energy.

  • This energy is used to pump protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.

  • The flow of protons back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase drives the synthesis of ATP.

  • NADH is thus essential for the generation of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.



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