The electron transport chain is the series of biochemical reactions in the mitochondria. These reactions are needed to convert the food into energy.
- The end product of ETC is the formation of ATP and water by reducing O2.
The food is made available in the form of oxygen and glucose. The food is then used to produce energy by the mitochondria.
The electron transport chain consists of five different protein complexes, and each of these protein complexes contains four different proteins.
What is Mitochondria?
Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Mitochondria is a tiny structure present in all living organisms. They are essential in cellular respiration, energy production, and ATP synthesis. Mitochondria is present in all types of cells, which is why we live.
Mitochondria are the source of energy, protein, DNA, and other compounds. Mitochondria produce energy in the form of ATP and synthesize various other compounds.
The size of mitochondria varies from 0.1 to 2 μm. Mitochondria are present in almost all tissues in the body. Mitochondria are found in all the body’s cells, including muscle, heart, liver, brain, and nerve cells.
- There are two types of mitochondria, the outer membrane, and the inner membrane. The outer membrane is also known as the mitochondrial membrane. It surrounds the inner membrane. Mitochondria are the cell’s powerhouse, and if the mitochondria’s function is affected, it will lead to the cell’s death.
What is ATP?
ATP is the abbreviation of adenosine triphosphate. It is a molecule that is found in every living cell. It is also known as energy molecules. They store energy in the form of chemical bonds.
ATP is responsible for several biological processes, such as muscle contraction, cell signaling, and metabolism.
ATP is the primary source of energy for all living organisms. In humans, it is stored in the muscles and heart.
- The ETC consists of four parts: NADH, ubiquinone, cytochrome bc1, and cytochrome c.
NADH
NADH is a molecule that acts as an electron donor to the respiratory chain. It is found in the mitochondria of all aerobic organisms.
Ubiquinone
Ubiquinone is a quinone that is used in the ETC. It is a redox-active compound that contains an isoprenoid side chain attached to a benzoquinone ring.
Cytochrome bc1
Cytochrome bc1 is a protein that works with the other three components of the ETC to transfer electrons between the ubiquinone and cytochrome c.
Cytochrome c
Cytochrome c is a molecule used to transport electrons from the ETC to the rest of the cell.
The electron transport chain is an essential part of the cellular respiration process. This chain of reactions is also known as the Krebs cycle.
The electron transport chain is located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. The electron transport chain works in three phases.
The first phase is the oxidation of the food, the second phase is the reduction of oxygen, and the third phase is the reduction of NADH. The electron transport chain is responsible for producing energy.
- The electron transport chain is composed of the following components:
- Cytochrome C oxidase
- Citrate synthase
- Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase)
- Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase)
- Complex III (ubiquinone), Complex IV and V
Cytochrome C oxidase:
Cytochrome C oxidase is the most critical component of the electron transport chain. It is present in the inner mitochondrial membrane and is also known as complex IV. Cytochrome C oxidase transfers electrons from reduced cytochrome C to oxygen.
Citrate synthase:
Citrate synthase is present in the mitochondrial matrix and is called the citrate cleavage enzyme. It is responsible for converting acetyl coenzyme A to citrate.
Complex I:
This is the first electron transport chain complex and is also known as the NADH dehydrogenase. It is also present in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This complex consists of a total of 39 different subunits and is involved in the oxidation of NADH to NAD+.
It is involved in the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone.
Complex II:
This is the second electron transport chain complex and is also known as succinate dehydrogenase. It is involved in the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone.
This complex consists of a total of 34 different subunits and is involved in the oxidation of succinate to fumarate.
Complex III:
This is the third electron transport chain complex and is also known as the cytochrome bc1 complex. It is a multimeric protein complex. It is also present in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
This complex consists of 13 different subunits and reduces ubiquinone to ubiquinol.
Complex IV
This is the fourth electron transport chain complex and is also known as the cytochrome c oxidase. This complex consists of a total of 17 different subunits and is involved in reducing oxygen to water.
Complex V
This is the last complex of the electron transport chain and is also known as ATP synthase. This complex consists of a total of 16 different subunits and is involved in the production of ATP from ADP.
Function of electron transport chain:
The electron transport chain is a series of reactions inside the cells’ mitochondria. Inside the mitochondria is an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase.
This enzyme is responsible for making energy. When electrons move through the enzyme, they release oxygen and create energy.
The electron transport chain is a series of enzymes involved in creating energy. It takes place inside the mitochondria. Inside the mitochondria is a complex structure called the electron transport chain.
This chain consists of more than 50 different enzymes that are involved in the process of creating energy. The electron transport chain is a series of reactions inside the mitochondria.
These reactions are responsible for releasing energy. The energy released from the electron transport chain converts food into energy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the electron transport chain is a series of chemical reactions that occur in the inner membrane of mitochondria that are used to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
The electron transport chain comprises five components, each using a different molecule to transport electrons.
The five parts of the electron transport chain are cytochrome c oxidase (COX), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), ubiquinone, cytochrome bc1 complex (cytochrome bc1), and cytochrome c reductase (Cyt c Red) .The electrons flow from the electron donor to the electron acceptor via the electron transport chain.