𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐇 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐏𝐇

 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐇 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐏𝐇

The main difference between NADH and NADPH is that NADH is used in cellular respiration during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation whereas NADPH is used in photosynthesis during the Calvin cycle to assimilate carbon dioxide .

NADH is used in cellular respiration while during glycolysis and Krebs cycle and reaction they use electron transport chain to produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation while NADPH is used in photosynthesis while during Calvin cycle in light reaction to assimilate carbon dioxide. NAD+, when undergoing reduction reactions, forms NADH, on the contrary, when NADP+ is reduced, they form NADPH. In the context of reduction reactions, NADH can be considered a reduced form of NAD+, while NADPH is a reduced form of NADP+.

NADH also undergoes oxidation when it is oxidized to form NAD+ in the oxidation reaction; conversely, NADPH is oxidized to form NADP + during its oxidation. NADH participates in cellular respiration processes that can occur in the absence of light; however, NADPH participates in photosynthesis that occurs in the presence of light. NADH is used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation; however, NADPH is used in the Calvin cycle to assimilate carbon dioxide.

NADH does not include a free phosphate group; on the other hand, NADPH contains a free phosphate group linked to the adenine moiety at the 2′ position of ribose. NADH is mainly involved in catabolic reactions only while NADPH is involved in anabolic reactions. NAD+ is the most abundant form found in relation to NADH; however, NADPH is the most abundant form found in cells.

What is NADH?

NADH is mainly known as its reduced form of NAD. It is one of the most abundant types of coenzyme that is present inside cells. These coenzymes participate in carrying out oxidation-reduction reactions during cellular aspiration. These are involved in carrying out cellular metabolism, serving as hydrogen and electron donors.

NADH consists of two ribose molecules linked by phosphate groups. NADH is more complex only in catabolic processes. It is produced during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. Most dehydrogenases in cells use NAD+ as a coenzyme in their catabolic reactions, as they donate hydrogen and electrons to form NADH. NADH also undergoes oxidation as it is oxidized to form NAD+ in the oxidation reaction.

In the context of reduction reactions that replace these two coenzymes, NADH can be considered a reduced form of NAD+. NADH participates in cellular respiration processes that can occur in the absence of light. NADH is used in the electron transport chain to form ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. NAD+ is the most abundant form found compared to NADH.

NADH is used in cellular respiration during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, and during the reaction they use an electron transport chain to produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation, NAD + when undergoing reduction reactions form NADH. In glycolysis, two NADHs are produced, which can then be used in the conversion of ATP; however, in the Krebs cycle, six NADHs are produced. In addition to the NADH produced in the Krebs cycle, two FADH2 are also produced, which serve as another coenzyme, as well as NADH. Both molecules can be used for the electron transport chain.

Since NADH serves as an electron and hydrogen donor, by donating its electrons to protein membranes in the inner mitochondrial membrane, it fulfills its purpose. These electrons are then used in the production of ATP through an oxidative phosphorylation process.

NADH does not contain a free phosphate group. NADH contains two phosphate groups that are attached to an oxygen molecule; Each phosphate group is attached to a five-carbon ribose sugar, along with one of these phosphate groups is attached to an adenine molecule, while the other is attached to a nicotinamide molecule. NADH participates in its reactions by accepting and donating electrons. NADH is mainly only involved in catabolic reactions.

What is NADPH?

NADPH is mainly preferred for its reduced form of NADP+. This NADP is the most abundant coenzyme within the cell. Like NADH and FADH2, it is also one of the most abundant types of coenzyme that is present inside cells. This NADPH is complex in carrying out oxidation-reduction reactions while the process of photosynthesis is taking place.

NADPH is used in photosynthesis during the Calvin cycle in the reaction of light to assimilate carbon dioxide. These are involved in carrying out cellular metabolism, serving as hydrogen and electron donors. They are mainly involved in carrying out anabolic reactions, such as the synthesis of lipids or the formation of nucleic acids.

NADPH is the more prevalent type of NADPH compared to NADP. They are capable of donating hydrogens and electrons during a chemical reaction. NADPH also called reducing agent. When NADP+ is reduced, they form NADPH. Where in NADP+ contains two electrons smaller than its reduced form NADPH. In this way, it acts as an electron transport agent while also transporting hydrogen along with it.

Thus providing the necessary electrons for the electron transport chain. In the context of reduction reactions that replace these coenzymes, NADPH can be considered a reduced form of NADP +. NADPH is the most common type found in cells. They consist of two ribose molecules linked by phosphate groups. NADPH also undergoes oxidation as it is oxidized to form NADP+ during its oxidation.

Each of these phosphate groups attached to ribose is connected on one side to the adenine group and on the other to the nicotinamide group. However, it differs structurally from NADH by the presence of an additional free phosphate group in its structure. This phosphate group is attached to the adenine moiety at the 2′ position of ribose. NADPH is produced in the presence of light, as the photosynthesis reaction occurs by the enzyme ferredoxin-NADP + reductase.

During the Calvin cycle, the reducing power of NADPH is used to assimilate carbon dioxide. In animals, its function varies as it is used in the pentose phosphate pathway. NADPH is intricate in anabolic processes. In plants, NADPH participates in photosynthesis that occurs in the presence of light. NADPH is formed in light plant photosynthesis processes.

Main differences

• NADH is used in cellular respiration during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, while NADPH is used in photosynthesis during the Calvin cycle.
• NAD+, when subjected to reduction reactions, forms NADH; on the other hand, when NADP+ is reduced, they form NADPH.
• NADH is oxidized to form NAD+ when an oxidation reaction occurs; conversely, NADPH is oxidized to form NADP + during its oxidation. 
• NADHrticipates in cellular respiration processes that can occur in the absence of light; however, NADPH participates in photosynthesis that occurs in the presence of light.
• NADH is used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation; however, NADPH is used in the Calvin cycle to assimilate carbon dioxide.
• NADH is produced in glycolysis and the Curb cycle; on the other hand, NADPH is produced in a light photosynthesis reaction.
• NADH does not contain a free phosphate group; on the other hand, NADPH contains a free phosphate group linked to the adenine moiety at the 2′ position of ribose.
• NADH is mainly involved in catabolic reactions only, while NADPH is involved in anabolic reactions.
• NAD+ is the most abundant form found in relation to NADH; however, NADPH is the most abundant form found in cells.

Conclusion

NADH is used in cellular respiration to drive anabolic reactions during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, while NADPH is used in photosynthesis to drive catabolic reactions during the Calvin cycle to assimilate carbon dioxide.