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ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

Prepared by Madhavi Parekh

In order to create ATP from food molecules, cells need to

catabolize these organic molecules. Catabolism usually is a process that transfers electrons from organic molecules to O2. The result is the production of H2O. During this process, energy stored in the electrons is used to create ATP. Processes in which electrons are transferred from one molecule (called the reductant) to another molecule (called the oxidant) are termed redox reactions (short for reduction-oxidation). Note that during catabolism of glucose, glucose is the reductant because it has energetic electrons and that oxygen is the oxidant to which these electrons are passed.

- Transfer of electrons in redox reactions releases energy that can be used to produce ATP.
-Transfer of electrons from glucose to oxygen is an example of a redox reaction. During cellular respiration, electrons move away from an organic compound toward oxygen. * C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Energy (ATP + Heat)

. NAD+ serves as an oxidant (gains electrons) and as an electron carrier during cellular respiration. Upon gaining two electrons, NAD+ becomes NADH and is electrically neutral. - NADH acts as an electron escort. It carries electrons from an organic compound (food) to the electron transport chain, where the electrons can be used to produce ATP.

The main events in the Kreb's Cycle are: If oxygen is present, the pyruvate from glycolysis enters a mitochondrion. Pyruvate is converted to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA). Acetyl CoA enters the Kreb's Cycle. The cycle results in the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) as exhaust. This CO2 is produced from the original molecule of glucose. During the cycle, a total of six (6) electrons are transferred to NAD+ (forming NADH), two (2) electrons are transferred to another electron carrier, FAD (forming FADH2), and one molecule of ATP is formed from each pyruvate. Two (2) molecules of CO2 are released from the system.

ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

Most of the energy from the original glucose molecule is stored in the
molecule's electrons. After the Kreb's Cycle is done, these electrons are now present on the electron carriers, NADH and FADH2. The cell's next big concern is converting this energy into more ATP. How does it do it? By using the Electron Transport Chain (ETP).

This process is also in the mitochondrion; the chain is in the mitochondrial membrane as we will see below. The electrons can be thought of as possessing energy that can be used to create ATP. This energy is an electro-potential, pretty much like the flow of electrons that is used to light bulbs and used for other processes in the home.

Note that if one mixes H2 and O2 the energy is given off as an explosion. But if the electrons are passed through the ETP, the energy can be captured in smaller, controlled quantities to create ATP. The ETP consists of multiple molecules and the electrons pass from one to another, much like an electric current. During this passage, the electrons give off energy

NADH and FADH2 escort electrons from the Krebs cycle to the first protein in the electron transport chain.
Electrons are passed from one protein to the next until they reach an oxygen molecule. Oxygen then accepts the electrons and bonds with two (2) hydrogen ions to form water.

So how does ATP get made? passing electrons to the outside of the membrane set up a hydrogen ion gradient across a membrane that can be used to perform work; in this case, the gradient is across the mitochondrial membrane and the work is the synthesis of ATP. The work is carried out by allowing the hydrogen ions to flow back into the cell, much like water will flow over a dam or through a water mill, during which the flow can be used to do useful work. The gradient that results is known as the proton-motive force.

Relatively high concentrations of H+ in the intermembrane space lead to the flow of H+ ions into the mitochondrial matrix through a channel; this channel is formed by a special enzyme called an ATP synthase (i.e. synthesizer of ATP). ATP synthase, the enzyme that makes ATP, is located on the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. This process of making ATP is known as oxidative phosphorylation. The entire process of using the proton motive force to make ATP is called chemiosmosis.

Glucose NADH electron transport chain proton-motive force ATP 1. Glycolysis: +2 ATP

2. Krebs Cycle:
3. Electron Transport Chain:

+2 ATP
+34 ATP

Total Gain:

+ 38 ATP

- Energy stored in glucose that is not consumed during cellular respiration is lost as heat. We use that to maintain a high body temperature; excess is dissipated by sweating, etc.

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