Encyclopedia > Electron transfer chain

  Article Content

Electron transfer chain

The electron transfer chain, also called the electron transport chain, is a sequence of complexes found in the mitochondrial membrane that accept electrons from electron donors such as NADH[?] or succinate, shuttle these electrons across the mitochondrial membrane creating an electrical and chemical gradient, and through the proton driven chemistry of the ATP synthase (aka the F0F1 particle), generate adenosine triphosphate.

There are five complexes normally associated with the electron transfer chain.

All of these are proteolipid complexes, with the first four containing either flavins, iron-sulfur clusters, copper centers, or heme moieties. Complexes I, III, and IV are proton pumps. Complex II is part of the Krebs cycle and does not pump protons, and Complex V uses the electrochemical potential generated to create ATP. Complex IV is the terminus of the electron transfer chain, consuming oxygen and making water.

Cytochrome c is also an essential part of the electron transfer chain. It is a soluble protein loosely associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane, and transfers electrons between Complexes III and IV.

See also:



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Islip Terrace, New York

... 13.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.21 and the average ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 40.7 ms