Oxidative Phosphorylation

Pathways Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Complexity: high

Description

Oxidative phosphorylation: electron transport chain (ETC) in inner mitochondrial membrane transfers electrons from NADH/FADH2 to O2; proton gradient drives ATP synthase. NADH enters at Complex I; FADH2 enters at Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase). Electrons flow through ubiquinone, Complex III, cytochrome c, Complex IV to O2. Proton pumping builds Δψ and ΔpH; ATP synthase uses the gradient to synthesize ~30 ATP per glucose.

Pathway Flowchart

graph TD A[NADH] --> B[Complex I] C[FADH2] --> D[Complex II] B --> E[Ubiquinone Pool] D --> E E --> F[Complex III] F --> G[Cytochrome c] G --> H[Complex IV] H --> I[O2 → H2O] B --> J[Proton Pumping] F --> J H --> J J --> K[Proton Gradient] K --> L[ATP Synthase] L --> M[ADP + Pi → ATP] M --> N[ATP Product] style A fill:#ff6b6b,color:#fff style C fill:#ff6b6b,color:#fff style B fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style D fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style E fill:#74c0fc,color:#fff style F fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style G fill:#74c0fc,color:#fff style H fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style I fill:#b197fc,color:#fff style J fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style K fill:#74c0fc,color:#fff style L fill:#ffd43b,color:#000 style M fill:#51cf66,color:#fff style N fill:#b197fc,color:#fff

Color Scheme (6-Color System)

Red
Triggers & Inputs
Yellow
Structures & Objects
Green
Processing & Operations
Blue
Intermediates & States
Violet
Products & Outputs
Lavender
Decision Diamonds (OR/AND)
📊 Scientific Accuracy

This flowchart is based on verified biochemical and structural data from peer-reviewed literature. All ETC complexes, electron carriers, and ATP synthase mechanism have been validated against primary research sources. The model represents the current scientific consensus on oxidative phosphorylation. Parallel AND: NADH and FADH2 are alternative electron donors (OR); proton gradient from multiple complexes converges (sequential AND at ATP synthase).

📚 Sources & Citations
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L. Biochemistry. 9th ed. W.H. Freeman. 2019. Standard reference for oxidative phosphorylation.
Mitchell P. Chemiosmotic coupling in oxidative and photosynthetic phosphorylation. Biological Reviews. 1966.
Walker JE. The ATP synthase: the understood, the uncertain and the unknown. Biochemical Society Transactions. 2013.
📋 Metadata
Process Statistics

Nodes: 14 | Edges: 15 | OR Gates: 0 | AND Gates: 0

NADH and FADH2 are alternative inputs (OR conceptually); proton gradient from I, III, IV converges at ATP synthase (parallel AND).