oxidative phosphorylation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The phosphorylation of ADP to ATP that accompanies the oxidation of a metabolite through the operation of the respiratory chain. Oxidation of compounds establishes a proton gradient across the membrane, providing the energy for ATP synthesis. [ISBN:0198506732, ISBN:0471331309]

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which cells convert chemical energy from food into a usable form, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process takes place in the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. The process begins with the electron transport chain, where electrons are passed from molecule to molecule down a series of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This movement of electrons releases energy, which is used to pump protons across the membrane, creating a proton gradient. The potential energy stored in this gradient is then used by ATP synthase to generate ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. In short, oxidative phosphorylation is a complex and essential process that is responsible for the majority of ATP production in the cell. It involves four main stages: 1) Electron transport chain: Electrons are passed from NADH and FADH2 to a series of electron carriers, releasing energy that is used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. 2) Proton gradient formation: The pumping of protons creates a concentration gradient across the membrane, with a higher concentration of protons in the intermembrane space than in the mitochondrial matrix. 3) ATP synthesis: The potential energy stored in the proton gradient is used by ATP synthase to generate ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. 4) Oxygen consumption: Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, accepting electrons from the last protein complex and forming water. The entire process is highly regulated and is influenced by factors such as the availability of substrates, the presence of inhibitors, and the physiological state of the cell.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)