Phosphorylation

Definition

Phosphorylation is the process of adding a phosphate group to a molecule, often a protein or ADP. It plays a critical role in cellular processes like energy transfer and signal transduction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Phosphorylation is essential for ATP production during cellular respiration.
2. Kinases are enzymes that catalyze phosphorylation reactions.
3. Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria and generates most of the cell's ATP.
4. Substrate-level phosphorylation directly transfers a phosphate group to ADP to form ATP without an electron transport chain.
5. Phosphorylation can activate or deactivate proteins, altering their function and activity.

Review Questions

• What role does phosphorylation play in ATP production?
• Which enzyme class is responsible for catalyzing phosphorylation reactions?
• How does oxidative phosphorylation differ from substrate-level phosphorylation?

Related terms

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): The primary energy carrier in cells, formed through processes like oxidative and substrate-level phosphorylation

Kinase: An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of phosphate groups to specific substrates, often regulating their activity

Electron Transport Chain: A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane involved in oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis