Question

A suspension of yeast cells is being grown under anaerobic conditions such that glucose is metabolized to ethanol and carbon dioxide. An inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase is added to the suspension, the cells rapidly die. Explain.

Answer 1

The correct answer is - NAD needed to keep glycolysis going is not being recycled so the entire process is shut down and no ATP is produced

Step-by-step explanation:

Alcohol dehydrogenase plays role in metabolizing the bulk of ethanol consumed as part of the diet and their activities contribute to the rate of ethanol elimination from the body.

Inhibitor of this zinc enzyme prevents it to perform its function which results in NADH generated during anaerobic conditions glycolysis cannot be recycled back to NAD+, So the ATP production pf anaerobic condition through glycolysis cannot be maintained.