Chapter 11 Oxidative Phosphorylation Flashcards
Chemiosmotic theory
Peter Mitchell’s theory that energy captured by coupled redox reactions in an electron transport system translocates protons across a membrane, which creates an electrochemical gradient that is used to drive ATP synthesis via proton flow through ATP synthase
Where is the proton gradient established?
across the inner mitochondrial membrane
Chemiosmosis
The generation of ATP as a result of the flow of protons across a membrane in response to a concentration gradient
- flows from high [H+] to low [H+]
Describe the flow of protons during chemiosmosis
Proton gradient is initiated by outward pumping of H+ from the mitochondrial matrix by three protein complexes
The inward flow of H+ through membrane bound ATP synthase accomplishes ATP synthesis
What is the overall net reaction of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway?
2 NADH + 2 H+ + 5 ADP + 5 Pi + O2 → 2 NAD+ + 5 ATP + 2 H2O
How is oxidative phosphorylation regulated?
The main regulator of this process is the ADP/ATP ratio. It is upregulated by high ADP (low energy) and Pi. Inhibition of any of the previous processes (Glycolysis, Citrate Cycle) will downregulate it.
What is the electron transport system?
A series of proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that converts the energy of redox reactions to a proton potential
Reactions in the ETC result in the coupled oxidation of NADH and FADH2 with the reduction of O2 to form NAD+ and H2O, providing free energy for ATP synthesis
Why is the order of complexes in the ETC vital to its function?
The electron carriers that participate in the ETC are ordered from most negative standard reduction potential to most positive, which allows a sequential transfer of protons and electrons at each step. The electron affinity of each carrier increases up to O2, which is the final electron acceptor.
What is the final electron acceptor of the electron transport system?
O2
What is the proton circuit?
the cyclical movement of protons across a membrane as a function of the electron transport system, which then flow back down their concentration gradient across the same membrane through a protein channel
What happens if the proton circuit is uncoupled?
If it is uncoupled, ATP synthesis no longer occurs
Uncoupling can also cause proton leakage across the membrane (without making ATP), causing heat production
What is oligomycin?
an antibiotic that blocks the synthesis of ATP by inhibiting the activity of the F0 proton channel of the ATP synthase complex
It inhibits the ETC and causes cell death
accumulation of protons causes a large change in pH
What are some structural features of the mitochondria?
- outer mitochondrial membrane
- intermembrane space (where protons are pumped to)
- inner mitochondrial membrane
- cristae
- mitochondrial matrix
What are cristae?
folded areas of the inner mitochondrial membrane that greatly increases surface area for chemiosmotic production of ATP
What are the five protein components of the electron transport system?
- NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase
- Succinate dehydrogenase
- Ubiquinone-cytochrome c oxidoreductase
- Cytochrome c oxidase
- ATP synthase
Complex I
NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase
catalyzes the first redox reaction where NADH oxidation is coupled to flavin mononucleotide (FMN) reduction and translocates 4H+ into the intermembrane space
Complex II
Succinate dehydrogenase
catalyzes an oxidation reaction converting succinate to fumerate (does not transport H+ across membrane)
Reduces coenzyme Q to QH2
ALSO FOUND IN THE CITRATE CYCLE