Oxidative Phosphorylation and Cellular Respiration

Flashcards summarizing key concepts and terms from the lecture on oxidative phosphorylation and cellular respiration, focusing on the processes involved in ATP formation.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

A set of electron-transfer reactions that captures the energy of high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 to generate ATP and reduce oxygen to water.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of four large protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate the transfer of electrons.

Proton-Motive Force

The energy-rich unequal distribution of protons across a membrane that powers the synthesis of ATP.

NADH-Q Oxidoreductase (Complex I)

A proton pump that serves as the entry point for electrons from NADH into the electron transport chain.

Cytochrome c

A small soluble protein that shuttles electrons from Complex III to Complex IV in the electron transport chain.

Q Cycle

The mechanism for coupling electron transfer from QH2 to cytochrome c to transmembrane proton transport.

ATP Synthase

A molecular assembly in the inner mitochondrial membrane that synthesizes ATP using the proton gradient.

Chemiosmotic Hypothesis

Proposes that electron transport and ATP synthesis are coupled by a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The compartment bounded by the inner mitochondrial membrane where most of the citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation reactions occur.

ATP-ADP Translocase

Specific transport protein that enables the exchange of cytoplasmic ADP for mitochondrial ATP.