Question

Why is Oxidative phosphorylation capacity not constant throughout a person’s lifetime.

Answer 1

Oxidative phosphorylation is a process which occurs in all eukaryotes and as a result ATP is formed.

Energy carrier molecules like NADH or FADH2 donates electrons, which leads to pumping of hydrogens across the mitochondrial membrane. The proton gradient results in the formation of ATP by ATP synthase.

With age, oxidative phosphorylation capacity is decreased due to decreased/reduced mitochondrial creatine kinase capacity. Mitochondrial membrane susceptibility to apoptosis decreases, as a result mitochondria degrade. This results in less number of mitochondria which causes low oxidative phosphorylation.