Beginning oxidative phosphorylation
Oxidative phosphorylation is the final stage of aerobic respiration. It occurs on the inner mitochondrial membrane, whose folds form the cristae.
The folding gives a large surface area on which proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, including electron carriers and ATP synthase, can be located.
Reduced NAD and reduced FAD formed during earlier respiratory reactions deliver hydrogen for oxidative phosphorylation.
- The reduced coenzymes donate hydrogen atoms.
- The hydrogen separates into protons (H+) and electrons.
- The electrons are transferred into the electron transport chain.
After donating hydrogen, the coenzymes return to their oxidised forms and can be used again.
hydrogen atom → H+ + e−