Oxidative Phosphorylation

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Occurs on the inner membrane of mitochondria and forms ATP

Question 2

Explain the process

Answer 2

1. Reduced NAD oxidises and two H ATOMS split into protons and electrons.
2. Electrons move along the electron transport chain and lose energy, and this energy is used by protein carriers to pump PROTONS from the matrix to the intermembrane space.
3. An electrochemical gradient is formed so protons move down the gradient back into the matrix through ATP SYNTHASE. This movement produces enough energy for chemiosmosis.
4. Electrons from the ETC are accepted by oxgyen, which acts as the FINAL ELECTRON ACCEPTOR. At the end of the ETC, protons, electrons and oxygen combine to form water.