Oxidative Phosphorylation

• How does oxidative phosphorylation generate ATP:

  Using the flow of protons across ATP synthase.
• Where does oxidative phosphorylation occur?


  Across the inner mitochondrial membrane of the cristae.
• What is located in the cristae?


  Enzymes and proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
• What is the electron transfer chain?


  A series of electron carrier molecules in the inner mitochondrial membrane that release energy in stages.
• What are the reactants of oxidative phosphorylation?


  Reduced NAD, reduced FAD, oxygen, ADP and Pi.
• What are the products of oxidative phosphorylation?


  NAD, FAD, water, and ATP.
• What is the first stage of oxidative phosphorylation?


  reduced NAD and reduced FAD release hydrogen, transferring protons and electrons into the mitochondria matrix.
• What happens to the high-energy electrons from reduced NAD and FAD?

  They move to an electron carrier and are passed along a series of electron carriers in the electron transport chain .
• What do the electrons do as they are transferred along the electron transport chain?

  Release energy.
• What is the energy from electrons passed along the electron transport chain used for?


  To actively transport protons from the matrix into the intermembrane space.
• Why are protons actively transported across the mitochondrial membrane?


  To set up a steep electrochemical gradient of protons in the intermembrane space for protons to diffuse back into the matrix through ATP synthase.
• What happens when the protons diffuse through ATP synthase?


  Energy is released and ATP is synthesised from ADP and Pi.
• What happens with oxygen in the matrix in the last stage of oxidative phosphorylation?


  It accepts electrons and protons to form water to help maintain the proton gradient.
• What is chemiosmosis in aerobic respiration?


  The diffusion of protons across the partial permeable mitochondrial membrane through ATP synthase channels.
• What is the net gain of ATP in oxidative phosphorylation from one glucose molecule?

  Approx 30.
• What is the total net gain of ATP from one glucose molecule?


  Approx 34.