When oligomycin is added to an actively respiring muscle cell, ATP synthase is inhibited. Which of the following predicts the effect of oligomycin on the rate of oxygen usage and the rate of electron transport through the ETC?

a) The rate of oxygen usage remains the same, but the rate of electron transport through the ETC decreases.

b) The rate of electron transport through the ETC remains the same, but the rate of oxygen usage decreases.

c) The rates of both oxygen usage and electron transport through the ETC decrease.

d) The rates of both oxygen usage and electron transport through the ETC remain the same.

Question

Biology

Jairo Coleman

9 June, 12:09

When oligomycin is added to an actively respiring muscle cell, ATP synthase is inhibited. Which of the following predicts the effect of oligomycin on the rate of oxygen usage and the rate of electron transport through the ETC?

a) The rate of oxygen usage remains the same, but the rate of electron transport through the ETC decreases.

b) The rate of electron transport through the ETC remains the same, but the rate of oxygen usage decreases.

c) The rates of both oxygen usage and electron transport through the ETC decrease.

d) The rates of both oxygen usage and electron transport through the ETC remain the same.

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Answers (1)

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Jordan Newton · Answer 1

C

Explanation:

1. Oligomycin is an antibiotic: it inhibits ATP synthase (which synthesis ATP) by blocking its F0 subunit (proton channel), which is compulsory for ATP synthesis.

2. By the use of oligomycin, oxygen consumption stops because oligomycin inhibits ATP synthesis, which is coupled to the activity of the electron-transport chain.

3. The inhibition of ATP synthesis would also stop electron transport chain (ETC), reason is that the high proton concentration build up is not dissipated, the free energy is not enough to pump protons against the increased gradient.