What is the difference between photophosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation?
1 Answer
Sep 18, 2016
Photophosphorylation occurs during photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation during cellular respiration.
Explanation:
Both photophosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation (oxphos) are processes cells use to make energy in the form of ATP.
First the similarities:
- in both cases electrons are transferred through a series of membrane proteins
- the electrons provide energy to pump protons (H+) to one side of the membrane
- the protons flow back through a special enzyme (ATP-synthase) which makes ATP
Then the differences:
- when it occurs:
oxphos occurs during cellular respiration#harr#
photophosphorylation occurs during photosynthesis - where it occurs: oxphos occurs inside mitochondria
#harr# photophosphorylation occurs inside thylakoids (in chloroplasts) - energy source: the energy source for oxphos is glucose
#harr#
the energy source for photophosphorylation sunlight. - electron acceptor: in oxphos the final electron acceptor is molecular oxygen
#harr#
in photophosphorylation the final electron acceptor is NADP+