CELLULAR RESPIRATION CASE STUDY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024 - 2025
Are there any similarities or connections between these seven individuals? ANS - Yes they all took
Tylenol and have multiple symptoms
Are these seven deaths connected? ANS - yes they all had the same symptoms and they all happened in
the same neighborhood within five days
What function of cells was interrupted in these patients? Could this loss of function lead to the death of
these individuals? ANS - The mitochondria had serious damage therefor it was not able to take in
oxygen to produce ATP.
Without ATP, all of the levels will slow down in the body and eventually stop causing death
Given the data in the autopsy, were there any reports that seemed inconsistent with the immediate
cause of death? ANS - They were diagnosed with hypoxia, yet they had high oxygen level. Since the
mitochondria was damaged, it was not able to use the excess oxygen being produced in the body to
make ATP
For each metabolite listed in the table, describe its role in cellular respiration? Are they substrates or
products? What is their main function? ANS - -Glucose is a SUBSTRATE in glycolysis= make 2ATP +
2Pyruvate
-Pyruvate is originally a product, but becomes a substrate in the Kreb's cycle= 2ATP & Lactic Acid
-Using oxygen it goes to the ETP and produce 34 ATP
Are there any abnormalities in the levels of these metabolites in the victims? ANS - The abnormalities
are NAD+ and NADH. Since there is not enough ATP being produced by the mitochondria it will not be
able to turn NADH and FAD2 into NAD+ therefore leaving excess NADH. Without NAD+ making ATP the
cells are going to have a significant energy shortage
What affect would cyanide have on the electron transport chain and the production of ATP? ANS -
Cyanide stops NADH and FAD2 from being used to make NAD+
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024 - 2025
Are there any similarities or connections between these seven individuals? ANS - Yes they all took
Tylenol and have multiple symptoms
Are these seven deaths connected? ANS - yes they all had the same symptoms and they all happened in
the same neighborhood within five days
What function of cells was interrupted in these patients? Could this loss of function lead to the death of
these individuals? ANS - The mitochondria had serious damage therefor it was not able to take in
oxygen to produce ATP.
Without ATP, all of the levels will slow down in the body and eventually stop causing death
Given the data in the autopsy, were there any reports that seemed inconsistent with the immediate
cause of death? ANS - They were diagnosed with hypoxia, yet they had high oxygen level. Since the
mitochondria was damaged, it was not able to use the excess oxygen being produced in the body to
make ATP
For each metabolite listed in the table, describe its role in cellular respiration? Are they substrates or
products? What is their main function? ANS - -Glucose is a SUBSTRATE in glycolysis= make 2ATP +
2Pyruvate
-Pyruvate is originally a product, but becomes a substrate in the Kreb's cycle= 2ATP & Lactic Acid
-Using oxygen it goes to the ETP and produce 34 ATP
Are there any abnormalities in the levels of these metabolites in the victims? ANS - The abnormalities
are NAD+ and NADH. Since there is not enough ATP being produced by the mitochondria it will not be
able to turn NADH and FAD2 into NAD+ therefore leaving excess NADH. Without NAD+ making ATP the
cells are going to have a significant energy shortage
What affect would cyanide have on the electron transport chain and the production of ATP? ANS -
Cyanide stops NADH and FAD2 from being used to make NAD+
