ATP is the main molecule for the storage and transfer of energy in cells. Its production involves several steps, involving two processes known as terminal oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation.
In principle, terminal oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation:
- Use the NADH to release H+ to the outer matrix
- Use Succinate to generate Fumarate
- Use ADP + Pi to generate ATP
- Use e- and H+ and 1/2 O2 to generate H2O
Energy production
The energy demand of different cellular reactions is provided by the transfer of phosphorus, primarily by ATP, but other molecules can also participate, such as:
- Phosphoenolpyruvate
- 1-3 BPG
- Pyrophosphate
- Glucose-6-phosphate
The most critical electron receptor is Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), in which two nucleotides are linked together via their acid phosphide groups.
NAD+ is reduced, it absorbs electrons,