Electron Transport Chain | Step-by-Step guide to Process Of Electron Transport Chain

A group of 4 proteins is involved in a series of chemical reactions or Redox reactions. An Electrochemical gradient is created that is followed by the generation of ATP. 

The pathway of electron movement is called the Electron transport chain.

ATP is an essential unit of the metabolic process. Electron donors transfer electrons to electron acceptors.

NADP+ is The final electron acceptor, which is later reduced to NADPH. H₂O is the electron donor, that donates electrons during Light-dependent reactions.

Reactants of Electron transport chain

There are the following five main electron acceptors in the electron transport chain.

1. NADH
2. FADH₂
3. Oxygen
4. ADP
5. Protons

Products of the electron transport chain

1. NAD+
2. FAD
3. Water
4. ATP.

Process Of Electron Transport Chain

1. During glycolysis, NADH, and FADH₂ are produced. After the oxidation of NADH and FADH₂, highly excited electrons are produced. Energy is produced during the transfer of electrons from NADH & FADH₂.
2. Those Electrons are transferred to molecular oxygen through many electron carriers, following a single path.
3. The electron transport chain is also known as the Cytochrome oxidase system.
4. Fe-S, co-enzyme, and different cytochromes are the main components of the Electron transport chain.
5. The energy that was generated during electron transfer is used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane from the matrix to the cytosol.
6. After this, an electrochemical gradient is generated, which consists of a proton gradient and a membrane potential.
7. The energy created by the formation of this gradient is then used to form ATP as the protons move down the gradient into the matrix through the ATP synthase channel.
8. Energy generated by the transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain to O₂ is used in the production of ATP, the overall process is known as cyclic phosphorylation.
9. Thus, electron transport and ATP production occur simultaneously.

Overview

The 6 predominant steps of the electron transport chain are:

• Excitation of electron
• Photolysis of water to release H^+, O_2, and electrons.
• Passage of electrons through Electron transport chain.
• Photophosphorylation  (Light reaction)
• Synthesis of NADP^+.
• Reduction of NADP⁺ and synthesis of ATP.

Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs