Electron transport chain Flashcards
When can oxidative phosphorylation occur
In the presence of oxygen
Describe a hydrogen atom
Has one electron (-) and one proton (+) so has a neutral charge
Where do the reduced coenzymes accumulated (NAD and FAD)
Near the inner mitochondrial membrane
What is embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane
Electron carrier proteins
What do all the electron carrier proteins together form
Electron transport chain
What do the reduced coenzymes do when they get near the inner mitochondrial membrane
Release their hydrogen atoms
What happens to the coenzymes when they release their hydrogen atoms
They become oxidised
What happens to the hydrogen atoms when they are released
They separate into protons and electrons
What is at the core of every electron carrier protein
An iron ion
What does the iron ion have the potential to do
Gain an electron
what is it called when something gains an electron
It is reduced
what is it called when something loses an electron
it is oxidised
What is the first part of oxidative phosphorylation
A series of oxidation reduction reactions occur with the iron ion cores. This releases energy as electrons are passed along the electron carrier proteins
What is the energy released by the passing of the electrons through the electron transport chain used for
Used to actively pump protons from mitochondrial matrix into the inter membrane space
What does the pumping of protons to the inter membrane space result in
Proton gradient
