School of Biochemistry  and Molecular Biology

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Oxidative Phosphorylation Home Page

These pages describe how mitochondria use the energy from substrate oxidation to drive the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. The system also powers many cellular transport processes. Use the contents list below to work through the material in a logical sequence, or follow the Royal Route icons at the foot of each page. There is a keyword index and the clickable map on the left also takes you into this presentation. You can browse the hypertext links to locate the topics of interest. This material was designed for the medical curriculum and for honours degree courses in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds.

• Brief orientation: Discovery, isolation and properties of mitochondria, and their principal components.
• The oxygen electrode: Design, theory and practical operation of oxygen electrode chambers.
• Oxygraph experiments: Measurement of P:O ratios and the effects of inhibitors and uncouplers.
• The respiratory chain: The principal redox carriers which make up the electron transport system.
• Inhibitors, uncouplers and ionophores: A compendium of toxic nasties, and a good way of keeping warm.
• Sub-mitochondrial particles: Isolation and properties of sonic particles, and the conclusions to be drawn.
• The high-energy pool: Measurement and utilisation of the transmembrane pH and potential gradients.
• Synthesis of ATP: Molecular architecture of the F1ATPase protein: re-inventing the wheel.
• Bioenergetics: Some basic physical chemistry that you really ought to understand.
• Symports, antiports and electrogenic uniports: Mitochondrial metabolite porters.
• Origin and evolution of mitochondria: Endosymbiont hypothesis. Mitochondrial Eve.
• Biogenesis of mitochondria: Mitochondrial DNA. Import of nuclear-coded proteins into mitochondria.
• Mitochondrial diseases: Inborn errors of metabolism involving mitochondria. Auto-immune reactions. Apoptosis.
• Chemical structures: For reference only. You really don't have to learn these!
• Learning objectives: How to pass your exams by doing some work.
• Keyword Index: