12.3 Oxidative phosphorylation

• Oxidative phosphorylation is the mechanism by which some of the energy of the electrons within the hydrogen atoms is conserved in the formation of ATP.
• Mitochondria are the site of oxidative phosphorylation.
• Within the cristae of the mitochondria are the enzymes and other proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and hence ATP synthesis.
• Mitochondria occur in greater numbers in metabolically active cells, such as muscle, liver and epithelial cells. These mitochondria also have more densely packed cristae, providing a greater surface area of membrane incorporating the enzymes and other proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation.