Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons through redox reactions to create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The process by which ATP is formed as electrons are transferred from NADH and FADH2 to O2 via the electron transport chain.

Chemiosmotic Hypothesis

The theory that the energy from electron transport is used to pump protons across a membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, powered by the flow of protons across a membrane.

Proton Gradient

A difference in proton concentration across a membrane, which creates potential energy used to drive ATP synthesis.

Cytochrome c Oxidase

Complex IV of the electron transport chain that transfers electrons from cytochrome c to oxygen, forming water.

Uncouplers

Substances that dissipate the proton gradient, thereby disrupting the coupling between electron transport and ATP synthesis.

Thermogenin

A protein that uncouples proton flow from ATP synthesis in brown fat, generating heat instead of ATP.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form), an electron carrier that donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

FADH2

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (reduced form), another electron carrier that also donates electrons to the electron transport chain.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process.

Krebs Cycle

Also known as the Citric Acid Cycle, it is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

H+/2e- Ratio

The ratio of protons transported across the mitochondrial membrane per pair of electrons passed through the electron transport chain, indicative of the efficiency of the system.

pKa

The measure of the strength of an acid in a solution; in the context of this lecture, pKa values influence proton transport.

Conformational Changes

Structural changes that occur in proteins, often related to their function; important in ATP synthase and electron transfer processes.

F1F0-ATP Synthase

A complex that produces ATP using the energy derived from the proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.