Oxidative phosphorylation
Oxidative phosphorylation couples electron transfer through respiratory-chain complexes to ATP generation across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Oxidative phosphorylation — learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal schematic relationship map for this topic; relationships are organized for study, not intended as an anatomical depiction or a diagnostic algorithm.
Electron donors
Reduced cofactors donate electrons to the chain; molecular oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor and is reduced to water.
Proton gradient
Electron transport pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, producing an electrochemical gradient.
ATP synthase
Protons returning through ATP synthase drive conformational changes that support ADP phosphorylation to ATP.
Coupling and heat
Proton leaks, uncoupling and substrate availability influence the amount of ATP produced per oxygen consumed.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.