Nitrogen fixations, case study

C. Case Studies on Nitrogen Fixations Static Quantum Chemical Calculations... 

We saw in Case studies 4.2 and 4.3 that exergonic electron transfer processes drive the synthesis of ATP in the mitochondrion during oxidative phosphorylation. Electron transfer between protein-bound co-factors or between proteins also plays a role in other biological processes, such as photosynthesis (Section 5.11 and Case study 12.3), nitrogen fixation, the reduction of atmospheric Nj to NH3 by certain microorganisms, and the mechcuiisms of action of oxidoreductcises, which are enzymes that catalyze redox reactions. 

Fig. 7. Model for the subcellular localization of reactions of purine synthesis and ureide biogenesis in nodules of ureide-exportlng legumes. The model is based on results of subcellular fractionation and ultrastructural studies. The processes (shown in the hatched boxes) involved in ureide biogenesis (i.e., nitrogen fixation, ammonium assimilation, precursor synthesis, purine synthesis, energy-yielding metabolism, and purine oxidation and catabolism) may occur in more than one subcellular compartment. The location of the enzymes involved in the conversion of IMP to xanthine is not certain. We have proposed that in soybean nodules these reactions [shown in bold-face type with bold arrows] occur in the plastid while in other species such as cowpea these reactions may take place in the ground cytoplasm. In all cases the intermediate exported from the plastid is uncertain. This uncertainty is indicated with the dashed lines and question marks.

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