Electron Transport Chain (ETC) Review

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts related to the Electron Transport Chain (ETC).

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes in the mitochondria that transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to generate ATP.

Proton Motive Force (PMF)

The electrochemical gradient of protons that drives ATP synthesis in mitochondria.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ)

A mobile electron carrier in the electron transport chain that accepts electrons from Complexes I and II.

Cytochrome c

An electron carrier that transfers electrons from Complex III to Complex IV in the electron transport chain.

Complex I (NADH-COQ oxidoreductase)

Accepts electrons from NADH and pumps protons into the intermembrane space.

Complex II (Succinate dehydrogenase)

Accepts electrons from FADH2 and does not pump protons across the membrane.

Complex III (Cytochrome bc1 complex)

Receives electrons from ubiquinone and pumps protons into the intermembrane space.

Complex IV (Cytochrome c oxidase)

Accepts electrons from cytochrome c and transfers them to oxygen, forming water.

NADH

An electron carrier generated in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle that donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

FADH2

An electron carrier that contributes electrons to the electron transport chain at Complex II.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme complex that synthesizes ATP using the proton gradient established by the electron transport chain.

Malate-Aspartate Shuttle

A more efficient pathway for transferring electrons from cytoplasmic NADH into the mitochondria yielding 3 ATP per NADH.

Glycerol-3-Phosphate Shuttle

A less efficient pathway yielding 2 ATP per NADH, bypassing Complex I.

Protons (H+)

Ions that create a gradient used by ATP synthase to generate ATP.

Oxygen

The final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, forming water.

Inner Membrane

Location of the electron transport chain and ATP synthase in the mitochondria.