17. overall the drop in reduction potential from nadh to water is equivalent to the energy needed to synthesize six or seven molecules of atp, yet only about 2.5 molecules of atp are actually synthesized? how does this apparent thermodynamic inefficiency allow atp synthesis to be achieved? what would happen if the system were 100% efficient?

The ATP synthesis is achieved by the generation of proton motive force(PMF).

Explanation:

The proton motive force is generated by the transport of electrons from intermembrane space to matrix of mitocondria. The proton motive force is utilized by FO F1  ATPase to generate ATP from the phosphorylation of ADP and inorganic phosphate(Pi).

       If the system were 100% efficient then 64 molecules of of ATP can be generated from the complete oxidation of 1 molecule of glucose by aerobic respiration.

answer; i believe the correct answer is (solid gold);

answer: - 3.) the oxidation state of nitrogen in no changes from +2 to 0, and the oxidation state of carbon in co changes from +2 to +4 as the reaction proceeds.

solution: - as per the rules, oxidation number of oxygen in its compounds is -2. the sum of oxidation numbers of all the elements of a molecule or compound is zero.

also, the oxidation number in elemental form is zero.

in no, the oxidation number of o is -2 so the oxidation number of n is +2 so that the sum is zero.

similarly, the oxidation number of c in co is +2 and o is -2.

on product side the oxidation number of n is 0 as it is in the elemental form() .

oxidation number of c in carbon dioxide is +4 as there are two oxygen in it and we know that each oxygen is -2.

so, oxidation number of n is changing from +2 to 0 and the oxidation number of c is changing from +2 to +4.

since nitrogen is reduced and hence no is acting as an oxidizing agent. carbon is oxidized and so co is acting as a reducing agent.

so, the right choice is number 3.)the oxidation state of nitrogen in no changes from +2 to 0, and the oxidation state of carbon in co changes from +2 to +4 as the reaction proceeds.