Just what is Oxidative Phosphorylation?

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Nutrients undergo a chemical process that consists of small changes to release ions that produce a stored chemical called ATP.

It is important to understand the term "oxidation." The small chemical changes actually are a series of oxidation and reduction reactions. When a substance is "oxidized" it gains an oxygen atom. When it loses the oxygen atom it is "reduced." This idea is known by most folks. The chemists call this a "Redox Reaction." It is part of a larger series of chemical reactions called aerobic respiration.

In the process of chemical energy release, in oxidative phosphorylation, the the highest ATP production occurs in the presence of atmospheric oxygen.This is referred to as "aerobic respiration." Respiration can occur in the absence of oxygen but the net production of ATP for celluar functions is far less. The chemists call this "anaerobic respiration."

Here is a list of atoms and ions (an atom with an overall electrical charge) used in aerobic respiration. In fact, oxidative phosphorylation is the last step in aerobic respiration that all your cells use for creating stored energy production in the form of ATP.

Oxygen
Hydrogen Atoms
Electrons

Here is the Redox Reactions in the form of Oxididation and Reduction

Oxidaion:                            Reduction:

Gain of Oxygen                  Loss of Oxygen
Loss of Hydrogen              Gain of Hydrogen
Loss of Electron                Gain of Electron

The substance that provides the oxygen is the oxidizing agent
The substance that accepts the oxygen is the reducing agent

Therefore, the oxidizing agent is reduced and the reducing agent is oxidized. 

The substance that loses an hydrogen is the oxidizing agent
The substance that gains an hydrogen is the reducing agent

Therefore, the oxidizing agent is reduced and the reducing agent is oxidized.

The substance that loses an electron is the oxidizing agent
The substance that gains an electron is the reducing agent

These redox reaction pathways are very efficient in the formation of stored ATP that provides the energy, when needed, for each and every cell in your body to perform its duty.

The energy that is released in oxidative phosphorylation creates a high energy bond that is formed when ATP is formed.

The muscle cells need energy to contract and provide movement. ATP, with its stored energy released, makes it possible for the muscle cell to function.

Basically, this is oxidative phosphorylation!