Oxidative phosphorylation

Question 1

Where does it happen?

Answer 1

In the cristae, inner mitochondrial membrane

Question 2

Stage 1

Answer 2

The reduced coenzymes from the other stages of aerobic respiration eg NADH, FADH carry the hydrogen to the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Question 3

Stage 2

Answer 3

The reduced coenzymes will be oxidised, lose their hydrogen and it will split into protons and electrons.

Question 4

Stage 3

Answer 4

The electrons are transferred along the electron carriers in the electron transfer chain in a series of redox reactions.
This releases energy which is used to pump the protons from the matrix into inter membrane space. Now there is a proton gradient.

Question 5

Stage 4

Answer 5

Because there is now a proton gradient, the hydrogens will no diffuse through a channel in the ATP synthase enzyme (chemiosmosis), ATP is also created from ADP and Pi

Question 6

Stage 5

Answer 6

Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor. When electrons reach last protein the the etc it will be passed to the oxygen which accepts them. The oxygen also accepts the protons. This creates water.

Question 7

What is the yield of ATP

Answer 7

32 molecules of ATP, most created at this stage