Electron Transport System Flashcards
What is the electron transport system also called?
Oxidative Phosphorylation
Where does oxidative phosphorylation take place?
Takes place on the cristae of the mitochondria/inner membrane of the mitochondrion
What is the first step of phosphorylation?
NADH is broken down into 2e*, (NAD+ and H+)
What happens to the 2e* during oxidative phosphorylation?
They pass through a number of protein carriers
What happens to the 2e* as they pass through protein carriers?
They slow down and release energy
What is the energy released by the 2e* during oxidative phosphorylation used for?
It is used to phosphorylate (convert) ADP +Pi to ATP + water
What happens at the end of the chain during oxidative phosphorylation?
2e- combine with Hydrogen (2H+) and oxygen (1/2 O2) to form water (H2O)
Why does oxidative phosphorylation take place in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion?
As the infoldings of the inner mitochondrion increase the surface area and allow larger numbers of electron transport systems to fit on the membrane
What is the main constituent molecule in the electron transport systems?
Proteins
Not all of the energy released by the 2e- as they move from protein carrier to protein carrier is used to phosphorylate ATP into ADP + P, what happens to this energy?
It is lost as heat
How are the low energy electrons removed from the electron transport system?
They combine with oxygen and hydrogen to form water
2e- + 2H+ + 1/2 O2 –> H2O
What are the main advantages of the electron transport system?
(2)
It produces the energy-rich carrier ATP
It converts the energy in NADPH to a more useable form of energy ATP
What three parts is NADH broken down into?
NAD+
H+
2e-
Does the electron transport system need oxygen to work?
Yes it will only work in the presence of oxygen
Why is oxygen required for the electron transport system?
Oxygen is required at the end of the system to remove the low-energy electrons from the system
