transport chain WHAT IS ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN? The Electron Transport Chain is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Main Function: Produces ATP,
the primary energy currency of cells, through oxidative phosphorylation. Location of the Electron Transport Chain Where It Happens: Inner membrane of the mitochondria (the cell's powerhouse).
Key Structure: Mitochondria has
two membranes – the ETC is embedded in the inner membrane. Key Components of the ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN 1. Complex I (NADH Dehydrogenase) Transfers electrons from NADH to coenzyme Q. 2. Complex II (Succinate Dehydrogenase) Transfers electrons from FADH2 to coenzyme Q. 3. Coenzyme Q (Ubiquinone) Mobile carrier that transfers electrons to Complex III. Key Components of the ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN 4. Complex III (Cytochrome b-c1) Transfers electrons to cytochrome c. 5. Cytochrome c A small protein that shuttles electrons between Complex III and IV. 6. Complex IV (Cytochrome c Oxidase) Transfers electrons to oxygen, the final electron acceptor, forming water. Steps of the Electron Transport Chain Electron Donation: NADH and FADH2 donate electrons to the chain. Electron Transfer: Electrons move through complexes, releasing energy. Proton Pumping: Energy is used to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient. ATP Production: Protons flow back into the matrix through ATP Synthase, driving the production of ATP from ADP. The Role of Oxygen Final Electron Acceptor: Oxygen receives electrons at the end of the chain and combines with protons to form water (H2O).
Importance: Without oxygen, the
ETC would halt, and no ATP would be produced (reason why oxygen is vital for aerobic organisms). ATP YIELD Each NADH produces approximately 3 ATP.
Each FADH2 produces
approximately 2 ATP.
Total Yield: Around 34 ATP
molecules are produced from one glucose molecule via the ETC. ETC In the Electron Transport Chain (ETC), the main product involving phosphate is adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is generated from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). ETC 1. Inorganic Phosphate (Pi): Free phosphate ions that combine with ADP. 2. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP): Formed when Pi binds to ADP, facilitated by the ATP synthase enzyme at the end of the ETC. Importance of the Electron Transport Chain Main Energy Producer: Produces the majority of ATP during cellular respiration. Essential for Life: Powers various cellular processes such as muscle contraction, active transport, and synthesis of molecules. Diseases Associated with ETC Dysfunction Mitochondrial Diseases: Dysfunction in the ETC can lead to various diseases, including Leigh’s Disease and Mitochondrial Myopathy.
Impact: Can cause muscle
weakness, neurological issues, and energy deficiencies. END PRODUCTS The end products of the electron transport chain (ETC) are ATP and water. During this process, ATP is generated through oxidative phosphorylation, and water is formed when electrons combine with oxygen. Additionally, NAD+ and FAD are regenerated for reuse in earlier stages of cellular respiration. Protons are involved in creating the gradient for ATP synthesis but are not final products. NAD⁺(Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) and FAD (Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide) are essential coenzymes in cellular respiration. They act as electron carriers, meaning they accept electrons during various metabolic reactions and transport them to the electron transport chain (ETC).
NAD⁺ picks up electrons and a hydrogen ion (H⁺) to
form NADH. NADH then transports these electrons to the ETC, where they are used to generate ATP. FAD picks up two hydrogen ions and two electrons to form FADH₂, which also carries electrons to the ETC to help produce ATP.
Both NAD⁺ and FAD are essential for
energy production, as they allow the transfer of electrons needed to drive the generation of ATP. Conclusion The Electron Transport Chain is a crucial biochemical pathway for producing energy in cells. It harnesses the energy from electrons transferred from NADH and FADH2 to create a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. Oxygen is essential to the process, as the final electron acceptor.
