Hi!
For my biochemistry class we have an assignment to explain how a hypothetical defect of an enzyme in the Kreb cycle could decrease the overall ATP production. We get to choose which enzyme has the defect and explain how it could decrease ATP.
I wanted to use aconitase and explain how it could set off a chain reaction of defects causing enzymes to not work properly. Meaning, if there is no isocitrate dehydrogenase, then oxidative decarboxylation cannot take place. Without this process that produces alpha-ketoglutarate and CO2, NAD cannot be converted to NADH. Ultimately without NADH, reoxidation of NADH and FADH2 cannot occur which is necessary to create ATP.
Does this make any sense? Is there a better way of explaining it? I am lost.
Thank you!
