Kaplan OAT Practice Question of the Day

OAT Practice Question for October 13th

How does the production of a proton gradient aid in the production of ATP?

A. It catalyzes the H⁺/ATP pump, which exchanges 1 ATP for every 3 H⁺ moved.

B. It allows H⁺ to pass through ATP synthetases, which phosphorylate ADP into ATP. It helps oxidize NADH to NAD⁺, which creates ATP as a byproduct.

C. It helps oxidize NADH to NAD⁺, which creates ATP as a byproduct.

D. It increases the formation of water (H₂O), which drives the ATP synthetase.

E. It is a necessary component for the Na⁺/K⁺ pump, which generates ATP as it moves Na⁺ and K⁺ along their concentration gradients.

Correct

Incorrect

The correct answer is B.

Stop: The answer choices reflect different ways in which the proton gradient may influence ATP production.

Think: The proton gradient occurs because, in the electron transport chain, hydrogen ions accumulate in the mitochondrial matrix. They are then shuttled across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating the proton gradient.

Predict: In crossing this inner membrane, the hydrogen ions pass through ATP synthetases. This catalyzes the phosphorylation of ADP into ATP. Therefore, the creation of the proton gradient that directly influences the production of ATP.

Match: (B) is the correct answer. (A) is incorrect because there is no such thing as a H⁺/ATP pump. (C) is incorrect because NADH is oxidized to NAD⁺ via oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain, not the production of the proton gradient. Water production is unrelated to the ATP synthetase (D), and the function of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump is not connected to the formation of the proton gradient (E).

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OAT Practice Question for October 13th

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OAT Practice Question for October 13th

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