Question

What is the significance of oxidative phosphorylation? Illustrate with the help of two examples.

Answer 1

Oxidative phosphorylation is an ATP generating mechanism takes place in mitochondria. It is also called cellular respiration where series of energy transformation events take place. It depends upon electron transfer from NADH or FADH2 to O2 through protein complexes present in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Oxidative phosphorylation helps to generate inter-convertible energy currency ATP. Oxidative phosphorylation is main source of ATP in aerobic organism where complete oxidization of glucose to CO2 and H2O along with 26 molecules of ATP.

Answer 2

Explanation:

• Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic process where the energy generated by nutrient oxidation, the energy is stored in the Adenosine triphosphate form (ATP) in the mitochondria.

• Oxidative phosphorylation is performed by almost all the aerobic organisms.

• The ‘transfer of electrons’ from donor compounds to acceptor compounds during redox reactions is connected with oxidative phosphorylation.

• The electrons  movement through the electron transport chain (ETC) is used to transport the protons into the intermembrane space through the inner mitochondrial membrane.

• The method results in the accumulation of potential energy consisting of a proton gradient and an electrical potential used by ATP synthase during the phosphorylation response to synthesize ATP from ADP.

• “Oxidative phosphorylation” is a vital method of metabolism that results to form ATP.