In: Biology
Compare and contrast the process of substrate-level phosphorylation, oxidative phosphorylation, and photophosphorylation. Provide one example of how each is used in a biological cell.
Substrate level phosphorylation: A high energy phosphate containing compound directly donates a Pi group to ADP to form ATP. It does not require ATP or electron carrier system.
Ex: 1,3-BPG + ADP -----> 3-PG + ATP
Oxidative phosphorylation: NADH and FADH2 produced during TCA cycle and glycolysis are used to create an electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane via a series of electron transfer reactions in which oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor. This electrochemical gradient is utilized by the ATP-synthase complex to drive ATP synthesis from ADP + Pi.
Photophosphorylation: During photosynthesis, the energy stored in sunlight is absorbed by photosynthetic pigments which utilize this energy to split this molecule. Splitting of water molecule produces protons and electrons. The electron transfer via carrier proteins establishes a proton gradient across the chloroplast membrane. This electrochemical gradient is utilized to synthesize ATP from ADP + Pi.