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Oxidative Phosphorylation Pathway

Meaning

The oxidative phosphorylation pathway (OXPHOS) is the final and most efficient stage of cellular respiration, occurring within the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the majority of the cell’s Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is generated. This complex biochemical cascade utilizes oxygen to convert the chemical energy stored in nutrient-derived electron carriers into the high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP. The pathway is central to cellular bioenergetics and its functional integrity is a critical determinant of metabolic rate, tissue function, and overall vitality. Dysfunction in the OXPHOS pathway is a primary feature of mitochondrial disorders and a key mechanism of aging.