Electron Transport Chain

Electron Transport Chain (pronunciation: e-lek-tron trans-port chain) is a series of protein complexes and lipid soluble carriers situated in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It is a crucial part of cellular respiration, specifically in the process of oxidative phosphorylation.

Etymology

The term "Electron Transport Chain" is derived from its function. "Electron" refers to the negatively charged particles that are transported, "Transport" refers to the movement of these particles, and "Chain" refers to the series of protein complexes and carriers involved in this process.

Function

The Electron Transport Chain functions to create a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This is achieved by the transfer of electrons from NADH and FADH2, produced in earlier stages of cellular respiration, through the protein complexes in the chain. The energy released from this transfer is used to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a gradient. This gradient is then used by ATP Synthase to produce ATP, the cell's main source of energy.

Related Terms

• Oxidative Phosphorylation
• Mitochondria
• Cellular Respiration
• ATP Synthase
• NADH
• FADH2

See Also

• Krebs Cycle
• Glycolysis
• Pyruvate Decarboxylation

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