NADH full form in biology
- NADH full form in biology is Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH).
- It is a coenzyme that is involved in various metabolic processes in living cells.
| Aspect | Detail |
| Full Form of NADH | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide |
| Chemical formula of NADH
| C21H28N7O14P2 |
| Structural formula | |
| Molar mass | 663.43 g/mol |
| Appearance | White powder |
| Melting point | 160 °C (320 °F; 433 K) |
| Cellular Location of NADH | Found in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells. |
| Oxidation State of NADH | NADH is the reduced form of NAD+ |
| Function of NADH | Participates in the transfer of electrons to the electron transport chain during cellular respiration, leading to the production of ATP. |
| Biosynthesis of NADH | It is synthesis through Glycolysis Citric acid cycle Fatty acid oxidation |
| Absorption and Fluorescence | Absorbs light at 340 nm and emits fluorescence at 460 nm when excited by ultraviolet light, making it useful for analytical purposes. |
| Biological Significance of NADH | Essential for energy production in cells It plays a key role in redox reactions and is involved in cellular metabolism. |
| Clinical Significance of NADH | NADH supplements are marketed as potential dietary supplements for improving energy and mental clarity, but their efficacy is still under research. |
A comparison between NADH and NADPH
| Characteristic | NADH | NADPH |
| Full Form | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate |
| Role in Redox Reactions | Participates in catabolic reactions that generate energy | participates in biosynthetic pathways and Photosynthesis. |
| Cellular Location | Found in the cytoplasm, mitochondria and other cellular compartments | Predominantly present in the stroma of chloroplasts, where photosynthesis occurs. |
| Role as an energy carrier | Functions as a carrier of high-energy electrons during cellular respiration | Functions as a carrier of reducing equivalents (H⁺ and e⁻) for biosynthetic reactions. |
| Role in ATP Production | Donates electrons to the electron transport chain, leading to ATP synthesis. | Plays a minor role in ATP production during photosynthesis. |
| Antioxidant Role | Does not possess a direct antioxidant role. | Serves as a major intracellular antioxidant. It neutralizes harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). |
| Role in Biosynthesis of Molecules | Not directly involved in biosynthetic reactions. | Essential for biosynthetic reactions such as fatty acid synthesis and nucleotide synthesis. |
| Cellular Functions | Plays a significant role in energy production and cellular respiration. | Key participant in anabolic processes, providing reducing power and building cellular components. |
| Involved in | Involve in anabolic reaction | Involved in catabolic reaction |
| Free phosphate group | Do not contain a free phosphate | Contains a free phosphate group |
A comparison between NAD and NADH
| Characteristic | NAD | NADH |
| Full form | Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide | nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) + hydrogen |
| Oxidation state | Oxidized form | Reduced form of NAD |
| Chemical Structure | NAD consists of Nicotinamide, Adenine and Two Ribose moieties | NADH has an additional hydrogen (H) attached to the nicotinamide ring. |
| Abundance in the Cell | More abundant in the cell | Generally found in lower concentrations as compared to NAD. |
| Role | Acts as a coenzyme in various redox reactions and cellular metabolism. | Serves as a carrier of high-energy electrons during energy-producing processes (e.g., cellular respiration) |
| Cellular Location | Found in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and other cellular compartments | Predominantly present in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and other cellular compartments. |
| Function in Redox Reactions | Functions as an electron carrier in oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions. | Donates electrons in various catabolic reactions, generating NADH. |
| Role in Energy Production | Participates in the generation of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. | Plays a key role in the electron transport chain and ATP synthesis. |
| Cellular Processes | Plays a role in glycolysis, Krebs cycle and other catabolic processes. | Essential for cellular respiration, fatty acid oxidation and other redox reactions. |
| Biological Importance | Important for energy metabolism and various metabolic pathways. | Important in energy transfer and redox signaling in the cell. |