Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

3. Energy & Cell Processes

Types of Phosphorylation

Anatomy & Physiology

3. Energy & Cell Processes

Types of Phosphorylation

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4:21 minutes

Problem 14

Textbook Question

Oxidative phosphorylation involves the flow of both electrons and H+. Explain the roles of these movements in the synthesis of ATP.

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Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria, specifically in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the electron transport chain (ETC) is located.

Electrons are transferred through a series of protein complexes (I, II, III, and IV) in the ETC, originating from NADH and FADH2, which are produced during earlier stages of cellular respiration.

As electrons move through these complexes, they release energy, which is used to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

This proton gradient generates a chemiosmotic potential, also known as the proton motive force, which drives protons back into the matrix through ATP synthase, a protein complex that synthesizes ATP.

The flow of protons through ATP synthase provides the energy needed to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic pathway that occurs in the mitochondria, where ATP is produced as a result of the transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain. This process is coupled with the movement of protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes and other molecules embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Electrons derived from NADH and FADH2 are transferred through these complexes, releasing energy that is used to pump protons from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space, establishing a proton gradient essential for ATP production.

Chemiosmosis

Chemiosmosis refers to the process by which ATP is synthesized using the energy stored in the proton gradient created by the electron transport chain. Protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, a protein complex that harnesses this flow to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate into ATP, thus linking the movement of electrons and protons to energy production.