Question

1. a scientist studies cultures of four different types of cells undergoing cellular respiration and determines the average number of atp molecules produced per cell, per molecule of glucose consumed.

cell type	average number of atp produced
cell w	36	36	35	36
cell x	2	2	2	2
cell y	34	34	34	35
cell z	2	2	2	2

another scientist suggests that some of the cultures might be of a bacterium called clostridium, which is an obligate anaerobe (it cannot undergo aerobic respiration). which cell(s) could possibly be clostridium?

a. w only
b. w and y
c. x and z
d. w, x, y, z

Explanation:

Obligate anaerobes produce ATP through fermentation, which yields a small amount of ATP (2 ATP per glucose). Cells X and Z produce 2 ATP per glucose in all trials, consistent with fermentation. Aerobic respiration produces a much larger amount of ATP (30 - 38 ATP per glucose), as seen in cells W and Y.

Answer:

c. X and Z