What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation is a set of chemical reactions used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). An important part of aerobic breathing is perhaps the most basic metabolic operation on Earth. Different types of organisms have many different ways to organize oxidative phosphorylation, but the end result is always the same: the energy from the next to the last step in the series is used to bind phosphorus atom to adenosine diffosphate (ADP) and transform it into etc. Potential energy added to the molecule in this reaction is exactly what ATP does a generally useful source of energy in the cell.

The lead to the final step of oxidative phosphorylation includes a range of reduction oxidation or redox, reaction. These reactions transfer electrons from one molecule to another, changing the charge of both. This set of operations is called a chain of electron transport because it allows the cell to move energy in the form of electrons from storage to where it is easy to use. Nicotinamide Adenin Dinucleotide (above +

) is a common step close toHo the ends of this process. "+" Represents a positive charge that allows him to easily receive electrons and become a reduced form called NADH.

Electron energy in NADH is used to power the process called chemiosmosis. Chemiosmosis concentrates electron energy on potential energy by moving hydrogen ions - protons - membrane. This movement creates an energy gradient via a membrane based on a accumulated positive charge on one side. This energy gradient is called proton-motive force. At this point, the final and universal step of oxidative phosphorylation may occur.

ATP synthase is an enzyme that is ultimately responsible for the transfer of ADP to etc. Part of the protein is built into the membrane through which the protons were controlled. ATP synthase provides a route through which protons can re -enter the cell, but do so use energy generated. This operation forIt reminds the way the windmills use pressure and water wheels differences, use changes in potential energy resulting from gravity. The movement of the proton back through the membrane is used to power the change in the shape of the enzyme. If the ADP molecule is already bound to ATP synthase, when this event occurs, the change on it deposits another phosphorus atom. The newly produced ATP molecule can leave the enzyme and freely provide energy elsewhere in the cell.