Answer:
The options
A ) It was thought that all ATP in the cell was synthesized from the glycolytic pathway in the cytosol and that mitochondria are dispensable.
B) It was thought that oxidative phosphorylation required a reactant with a high energy bond (~X) and it was just a matter of who could find it first.
C) The reaction A~X + Pi + ADP. A + X + ATP was thought to be the preferred pathway using both a membrane potential and Na+ gradient.
D) Since Peter Mitchell was a wealthy scholar who lived in a mansion with a built-in laboratory, it was assumed he was eccentric and wrong.
The CORRECT ANSWER IS B
B) It was thought that oxidative phosphorylation required a reactant with a high energy bond (~X) and it was just a matter of who could find it first.
Explanation:
Majority of the biochemists at that period were experimenting to evaluate for a high energy phosphorylated intermediate also known as ~X-P and they believed it is the answer to the question or experiment.
Peter Mitchell's hypothesis was considered heretical because it was independent on ~X-P. His model was considered unusual and a new model plus he had his own private laboratory... a factor wasn't common too at that period.
It was called "Ox Phos War due to the disagreement "war" as biochemists had to chose sides.