Reduction of one molecule of nitrogen into 2 molecules of `NH_(3)` consumes

Options

A. 4 molecules of ATP
B. 16 molecules of ATP
C. 56 molecules of ATP
D. 38 molecules of ATP

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reduction of one molecule of nitrogen into two molecules of ammonia and the ATP consumption involved, we can break it down into the following steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Process of Nitrogen Fixation
- Nitrogen fixation is the process through which nitrogen gas (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃). This process is crucial for making nitrogen available to living organisms.

### Step 2: Identify the Reaction
- The chemical reaction can be summarized as:
\[ N_2 + 6H^+ + 6e^- \rightarrow 2NH_3 \]
- This indicates that one molecule of nitrogen gas is converted into two molecules of ammonia.

### Step 3: Determine ATP Consumption
- According to the nitrogen fixation process, it is known that the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia requires energy in the form of ATP.
- For the production of 2 molecules of ammonia from 1 molecule of nitrogen, it is established that **8 ATP molecules** are consumed.

### Step 4: Calculate Total ATP for One Molecule of Nitrogen
- Since the question asks about the consumption for one molecule of nitrogen, and it produces 2 molecules of ammonia, we need to consider the total ATP required:
- For 1 molecule of nitrogen (N₂), the total ATP required is:
\[ 8 \text{ ATP (for 2 NH}_3\text{)} \times 2 = 16 \text{ ATP} \]

### Step 5: Conclusion
- Therefore, the reduction of one molecule of nitrogen into two molecules of ammonia consumes **16 ATP molecules**.

### Final Answer:
- The correct answer is **16 ATP molecules**.

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