What is Coupled Phosphorylation?

[JamesU]

"Coupled Phosphorylation"

For school I am being forced to read SIlent Spring by Rachel Carson(which bores me to death, but anyways...) The author goes into very little detail on what coupled phosphorylation means, which is confuusing me every time she brings it up...Any helpon what this is...?

 

[jim mcnamara]

The book is 40+ years old, I believe what is referred to is the fact that phosphorylation of proteins (specifically enzymes) turns off the metabolic pathway they are active in - this is called a phosphorylation cascade.

The opposite effect, dephosphorylation, switches the enzymes activity back on - turning on the metabolic pathway.

Receptor sites on cell membranes respond to external hormones or hormone mimics like some chlorinated compounds either turning on a cascade or turning it off. glucagon and adrenaline turn on a p-cascade that shuts down glycolysis, for example.

 

[ravenprp]

Coupled phosphorylation is a biochemical process in which the addition of a phosphate group to a molecule is coupled with the transfer of energy from one molecule to another. This process is essential for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy source for cellular activities.

In simpler terms, coupled phosphorylation involves the transfer of a phosphate group from one molecule to another, while also producing energy that can be used by the cell. This process is often seen in cellular respiration, where the breakdown of glucose molecules produces ATP through coupled phosphorylation.

In the context of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, coupled phosphorylation may be mentioned in relation to the effects of pesticides on the environment. Pesticides can disrupt this process in certain organisms, leading to a decrease in energy production and potentially harmful effects on their survival and reproduction.