Question

q3.7. which of the following would decrease the number of atp molecules generated per nadh molecule in the electron transport chain? increasing the energy of the electrons nadh transfers to complex i reducing the number of protons required by atp synthase to produce an atp molecule having nadh transfer its electrons to complex iii instead of complex i increasing the amount of oxygen available to the cell

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - transport chain and ATP production

In the electron - transport chain, NADH donates electrons. Energy from electron transfer is used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton - motive force. ATP synthase uses this proton - motive force to produce ATP.

Step2: Analyze each option

• Increasing the energy of the electrons of NADH transferred to Complex I would likely lead to more proton pumping and more ATP production.
• Reducing the number of protons required by ATP synthase to produce an ATP molecule would increase the efficiency of ATP production per NADH, leading to more ATP generated per NADH.
• Having NADH transfer its electrons to Complex III instead of Complex I would bypass a proton - pumping step (Complex I), resulting in less proton - motive force and fewer ATP molecules generated per NADH.
• Increasing the amount of oxygen available to the cell would not directly decrease the number of ATP molecules generated per NADH as long as oxygen is not a limiting factor for the electron - transport chain.

Answer:

Having NADH transfer its electrons to Complex III instead of Complex I