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Oxidative Phosphorylation

Meaning

Oxidative Phosphorylation, often abbreviated as OxPhos, is the metabolic pathway in which the mitochondria use enzymes to oxidize nutrients, releasing energy that is used to produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency of the cell. This process is the final and most efficient stage of cellular respiration, responsible for generating the vast majority of the ATP required to power all physiological processes, including muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and hormone synthesis. The efficiency of this pathway is a direct measure of cellular health and is intrinsically linked to metabolic vitality and longevity.