Electron Transport Chain Flashcards
Where is the electron transport chain located?
Mitochondria
What happens in the electron transport chain?
The energy of the electrons within the hydrogen atoms is converted into a form that cells can use, namely ATP
What is attached to the cristae in mitochondria?
Enzymes and other proteins involved in the ETC
In what areas of body are mitochondria more abundant?
Metabolically active cells such as muscles, liver and epithelial cells that have greater energy demands
What do the hydrogen atoms produced during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle combine with?
Coenzymes NAD and FAD that are attached to the cristae of the mitochondria
What do NAD and FAD become once they combine with hydrogen atoms?
Reduced
What do the reduced NAD and FAD do with the electrons from the hydrogen atoms they are carrying?
They donate them to the first molecule in the electron transport chain
What is released from the hydrogen atoms when their electrons are transported to the first molecule in the ETC? And what happens to them?
Protons are released and they are actively transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane
Whilst the protons are being released form the hydrogen atoms, what are the electrons doing?
Passing along a chain of electron transport carrier molecules in a series of oxidation-reduction reactions
What do the electrons lose as they pass down the chain?
Energy
What is the energy that is lost by electrons as they pass down the chain used for?
To combine ADP and inorganic phosphate to make ATP, and remaining energy is released as heat
Where do the protons accumulate?
The space between the two mitochondrial membranes before they diffuse back into the mitochondrial matrix through special protein channels (proton surge)
At the end of the chain, what do the electrons combine with to form?
They combine with the protons from the proton surge, and oxygen to form water
What is the role of oxygen in the electron transport chain?
It is the final electron acceptor
