Oxidative Phosphorylation Overview

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to oxidative phosphorylation, essential for understanding cellular respiration.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation and are involved in energy metabolism.

Chemiosmosis

The process by which ATP is produced in mitochondria using the proton gradient created by the electron transport chain.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of complexes that transfer electrons derived from NADH and FADH2 to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (P) using energy from the proton motive force.

NADH

A high-energy electron carrier produced in metabolic pathways like glycolysis, which donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

FADH2

An electron carrier that contributes electrons to the electron transport chain and produces less ATP compared to NADH.

Proton Motive Force (PMF)

The electrochemical gradient of protons across the mitochondrial membrane that drives ATP synthesis.

Complex I

NADH dehydrogenase, the first complex in the ETC where NADH donates electrons.

Complex II

Succinate dehydrogenase, which allows FADH2 to enter the ETC and participates in the citric acid cycle.

Complex IV

Cytochrome C oxidase, the final complex that transfers electrons to oxygen, producing water.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The metabolic pathway that uses oxygen to convert the energy stored in nutrients into ATP.

Electrons Transfer Pathway

The sequence of electron flow from NADH and FADH2 through the ETC, leading to the production of ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle

A metabolic pathway that extracts energy from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, producing NADH and FADH2.

Ubiquinone (CoQ)

A mobile electron carrier in the mitochondrial membrane that transports electrons between different complexes in the ETC.

Complex III

Part of the electron transport chain that transfers electrons from ubiquinol to cytochrome c, contributing to the proton gradient used for ATP synthesis.