Question : Describe the respiratorybalance sheet.

1.	Question : Describe the respiratorybalance sheet.
Answer» Solution :It is POSSIBLE to make calculation of the net gain of ATP for every glucose molecule oxidised but in realitythis can remain only a theoretical exericse. These calculations can be madeonly on certain assumptions that : (1)Thereis a sequentialorderly PATHWAY functioning, with one substrate forming the next and with glycolysis, TCA cycle and ETSpathway following one after another. The NADH synthesised in glycolysisis trnasferred into the mitochondria and undergoesoxidative phosphorylation. (3) None of the intermediates in the pathway are utilised to synthesize any othercompound. (4) Only glucose is being respired-no other alternative substrates are entering in the pathway at any of the intermediary stages. But this kind of assumptions are notreally valid in a living system . All pathways work simultaneouslyand do not take PLACE one afteranother. Substrates enter the pathways an arewithdrawn from it as and when necessary. ATP is utilised as and when needed . Enzymatic rates arecontrolled bymultiple means. Yet it is USEFUL to do this exercise to appreciatethe beautyand efficiencyof the living systemin extraction and storing energy. Hence, there can be a net gain of 38 ATP moleculesduring aerobic respiration of one molecule of glucose.

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