Question

Atractyloside is a poison that inhibits the transport of ADP from the cytosol across the mitochondrial membranes and into the mitochondrial matrix. The direct effect of this drug is to stop ATP synthesis because:

Answer 1

Answer: ADP is a necessary substrate for the reaction catalyzed by ATP synthase.

Step-by-step explanation:

ATP- Adenosine Triphosphate

ADP- Adenosine Diphosphate

ATP is the most commonly used energy currency of cells in organisms. ATP synthase is an enzyme that creates ATP which stores energy. ADP/ATP carrier transports ADP into the mitochondria for oxidative phosphorylation to ATP, the ATP is then transported out of the mitochondria for use as a cellular fuel.

Atractyloside works by inhibiting the exchange of ATP from the mitochondria with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the cytosol, thereby also inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation.

Atractyloside binds to the ADP/ATP translocase, which is found on the inner mitochondrial membrane. As a result of this, the exchange of ADP and ATP is prevented and the cell die due to lack of energy.