Oxidative phosphorylation has three reaction products.
a. What is the energy-carrying product?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: Oxidative phosphorylation is the final stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the mitochondria. It involves the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis to produce energy.
2. Identify the key process: During oxidative phosphorylation, electrons are transferred through a series of protein complexes in the electron transport chain, creating a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.
3. Recognize the energy-carrying product: The energy from the proton gradient is used by ATP synthase to convert ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the primary energy-carrying molecule in cells.
4. Note the other products: In addition to ATP, oxidative phosphorylation also produces water (H₂O) as a result of oxygen acting as the final electron acceptor, and heat as a byproduct of the process.
5. Conclude: The energy-carrying product of oxidative phosphorylation is ATP, which stores and provides energy for various cellular processes.

Key Concepts

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic pathway that occurs in the mitochondria, where energy from electrons transferred through the electron transport chain is used to produce ATP. This process involves the reduction of oxygen to water and is coupled with the generation of a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, is the primary energy-carrying molecule in cells. It stores and transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism. During oxidative phosphorylation, ATP is synthesized from ADP and inorganic phosphate, making it a crucial product of this process.

Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that facilitate the transfer of electrons derived from NADH and FADH2. As electrons move through the chain, they release energy used to pump protons across the membrane, creating a gradient that ultimately drives ATP production.