Question

Which type of phosphorylation occurs in mitochondria?

Answer 1

1. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in mitochondria during cellular respiration.
2. It is called oxidative phosphorylation because the energy of oxidation-reduction is utilised for the production of a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane, which is required for the phosphorylation of ADP to produce ATP.
3. Electron transport system and ATP synthase complex are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotes and the plasma membrane of prokaryotes.
4. It comprises a series of enzyme complexes. The electron transport results in the formation of a proton gradient across the membrane, which is utilised in the formation of ATP.
5. Here oxygen acts as the terminal electoral acceptor.
6. In the electron transport system, electron transport is coupled with ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation. The enzyme ATP synthase catalyses the reaction.