In chloroplasts, ATP is synthesized from ADP plus inorganic phosphate (Pi) in a reaction catalyzed by ATP synthase molecules that are embedded in the thylakoid membrane.

Which of the following statements provides evidence to support the claim that no ATP will be synthesized in the absence of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane?

Question

In chloroplasts, ATP is synthesized from ADP plus inorganic phosphate (Pi) in a reaction catalyzed by ATP synthase molecules that are embedded in the thylakoid membrane.

Which of the following statements provides evidence to support the claim that no ATP will be synthesized in the absence of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks which statement provides evidence that ATP will not be synthesized in the absence of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane.
Option 1: 'No ATP is synthesized when channel proteins that allow the free passage of protons are inserted into the thylakoid membrane.' This directly tests the role of the proton gradient. If protons can freely cross the membrane, the proton-motive force is dissipated, preventing the proton-driven synthesis of ATP by ATP synthase. This is strong evidence that the gradient is required for ATP production. 
Option 2: 'No ATP is synthesized while the Calvin cycle is synthesizing carbohydrates and using ATP and NADPH at a high rate.' While the Calvin cycle consumes ATP, this statement does not address whether ATP synthesis depends on a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. It confounds ATP consumption with production and doesn’t specifically tie ATP synthesis to the proton gradient, making it weak evidence for the gradient’s necessity in ATP production. 
Option 3: 'Increasing the proton concentration difference across the thylakoid membrane is not associated with a parallel increase in the rate of ATP synthesis.' This assertion contradicts the standard chemiosmotic principle: typically, a larger proton gradient drives more ATP synthesis up to a limit. Saying there is no parallel increase would misrepresent the fundamental coupling between gradient and ATP production, thus not supporting the claim that a gradient is required. 
Option 4: 'Blocking electron flow from one carrier to the next in the electron transport chains blocks formation of a proton gradient in the thylakoid.' While this is true—electron transport drives the proton gradient—the statement speaks to how the gradient is formed rather than providing direct evidence that ATP cannot be synthesized without a gradient. It is related, but it does not itself demonstrate the necessity of the gradient for ATP synthesis in the absence of a gradient, making it less direct as evidence for the claim. 
In summary, only the first option explicitly links the presence of a proton gradient to the ability to synthesize ATP, by showing that removing or nullifying the gradient prevents ATP production. The other options discuss related processes or conditions but do not provide direct evidence that ATP synthesis cannot occur without a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane.

APBIO141-031 with labs Unit 3 Test

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