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Class Notes

The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) creates a proton gradient in the inner mitochondrial membrane, which drives ATP synthesis through chemiosmosis. It involves a series of protein complexes that shuttle electrons from NADH and FADH2, releasing energy to pump protons and maintain the gradient. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor, enabling the continuous flow of electrons and preventing process backup.

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7 views2 pages

Class Notes

The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) creates a proton gradient in the inner mitochondrial membrane, which drives ATP synthesis through chemiosmosis. It involves a series of protein complexes that shuttle electrons from NADH and FADH2, releasing energy to pump protons and maintain the gradient. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor, enabling the continuous flow of electrons and preventing process backup.

Uploaded by

Gio Carlos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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I.

Key Concept:
The ETC doesn't make ATP directly. It creates a proton gradient (a form of
potential energy) that drives ATP synthesis. This is chemiosmosis.
II. Detailed Notes:
A. Setting the Stage: Location & Inputs
 Location: The inner mitochondrial membrane (cristae).
 Inputs from previous stages (Glycolysis & Krebs Cycle):
o NADH: ~10 molecules per glucose.

o FADH2: ~2 molecules per glucose.

o These are electron carriers. They are the primary source of


electrons for the ETC.
B. The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) Itself
 A series of 4 protein complexes (I, II, III, IV) and 2 mobile carriers
(CoQ, Cyt C) embedded in the membrane.
 Function: To shuttle electrons from NADH and FADH2 down a energy
"staircase."
 Each transfer is a redox reaction. Energy is released in small,
manageable amounts.
 Key Point: Complexes I, III, and IV use this released energy to
pump protons (H+) from the matrix to the intermembrane space.
o This creates a high concentration of H+ in the intermembrane
space → a proton gradient.
o The membrane is impermeable to protons, so the gradient is
maintained.
C. Chemiosmosis & ATP Synthase
 Chemiosmosis: The process of energy coupling that uses the energy
stored in a proton gradient to drive cellular work (like ATP
synthesis).
 ATP Synthase: The enzyme complex that makes ATP. It has a rotor
that spins.
 The Process:
1. H+ ions built up in the intermembrane space want to diffuse
back into the matrix (down their concentration gradient).
2. The only channel they can flow through is ATP Synthase.
3. As H+ ions flow through ATP Synthase (like water through a
turbine), it spins the rotor.
4. This spinning motion catalyzes the phosphorylation of ADP →
ATP.
D. The Final Electron Acceptor: OXYGEN
 At the end of the chain (Complex IV), electrons are passed to O₂.
 O₂ + 4e- + 4H+ → 2H₂O
 This is why we breathe oxygen! It's the final step that "pulls" the
electrons through the entire chain. Without O₂, the whole process
backs up and stops.

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