4.4.1 The Electron Transport Chain Flashcards
note
- The energy stored in reduced coenzymes is used to set up a proton gradient by way of the electron transport chain. This gradient sets up the equivalent of a battery within the mitochondria. As charges move, the work that is done can be used to make ATP.
- Energy released from the electrons of reduced coenzymes is used to set up a proton gradient. Proteins embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane can accept electrons from the NADH + H+ and FADH2
to make NAD+ and FAD and use the energy lost from those electrons to pump protons into the intermembrane space. - Electrons are transferred from protein to protein in the
electron transport chain. Each successive protein in the
transport chain can accept a lower-energy electron. As
electrons travel from a high-energy state to a low-energy
state, energy is released. This energy is used to pump protons across the membrane to set up a gradient. The final electron acceptor is oxygen (O2). Oxygen has a
high electronegativity; thus, oxygen’s high affinity for
electrons makes it an ideal acceptor for low-energy electrons. With the electrons, hydrogen is added to oxygen forming water as the final product.
In a hypothetical electron transport system, electrons are passed from protein A to B and then from B to C and then from C to D. The energy released from the transport of the electrons from A to D is used to create a proton gradient. Which molecule has the highest electronegativity?
- D
The _____ can generate a proton motive force by oxidation of NADH + H + and FADH2.
- electron transport chain
Assume that a eukaryotic cell has a full supply of glucose and oxygen, but needs ATP. In the mitochondria of this eukaryotic cell, a proton gradient will be geneated by ____________ and this gradient will be used for ____________ .
- the electron transport chain; ATP synthesis
As electrons are passed in the electron transport chain, hydrogen ions (protons) are pumped from _____ to _____.
- mitochondrial matrix ; mitochondrial intermembrane space
Which statement about the electron transport chain is false?
- It operates at the same time in the cell as fermentation
What molecule is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain in cellular respiration?
- oxygen