ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAIN

In cellular respiration, we have read about two pathways that generate ATP i.e. glycolysis and citric acid
cycle. However, most of the ATP produced during aerobic catabolism of glucose isn't created
straightforwardly from these pathways. Somewhat, it is derived from a process that starts with moving
electrons through a chain of electron transporters that experience redox reactions. It is known as electron
transport chain. It result in the accumulation of hydrogen ions in the matrix space.

Therefore, by passing through ATP synthase, hydrogen ions diffuse out of the matrix space. This process
takes place in concentration gradient. The catalytic activity of ATP synthase is empowered by current of
hydrogen, which phosphorylates ADP, creating ATP.

Electron Transport Chain:

The final component of aerobic respiration is electron transport chain. It is only part of glucose
metabolism that employ atmospheric oxygen. Oxygen persistently diffuses in animals and plants.
Electron transport bear a resemblance to a bucket brigade/relay race. It is a series of redox reaction in
which in electrons are passed quickly from one component to upcoming component, to the end point of
chain where water is produced and electrons reduceO 2.

There are multiple copies of ETC within the plasma membrane of prokaryotes and mitochondrial
membrane of eukaryotes. The ETC of prokaryotes may not require oxygen as some live in anaerobic
conditions. Existence of a proton pump is common characteristic of all ETC for the creation of a proton
gradient across a membrane.

Fig 1.1: ETC

How do H +¿¿ and e−¿¿ make it inside of the mitochondria?

ETC occur in the mitochondria. NADH and FADH2 enters the transport chain at complex I and II
respectively. Both are called as electron carriers, which means that they are capable of donating electrons
to transport chain.

Complexes in ETC:

There are four complexes in Electron Transport Chain that are composed of protein. The main purpose of
these complexes is the transmission of electrons down the chain. The fifth complex aids to carry hydrogen
ions back into the matrix. Within the inner mitochondrial membrane, these protein complexes are
embedded.

Complex I:

Four hydrogen ions are being pumped across the inner membrane when NADH transfers two electrons to
Complex, labeled I. This complex is comprised of Flavin mononucleotide and Fe-S containing protein.
Flavin mononucleotide is obtained from vitamin B2 which is also known as riboflavin. It is one of the
several co-factors in ETC. NAD+ is recycled back in Krebs cycle which is created when NADH is
oxidized. Electrons are transported to carrier molecule ubiquinone (Q) from Complex I which further
carry the electrons to complex III. Ubiquinone is then reduced to Ubiquinol (QH2).

Fig 1.2: Complex I

Complex II:

This complex directly receives FADH 2 which does not pass through complex I and it transmit electrons to
Complex II and the electrons are passed along to ubiquinone (Q). The compound that connects first and
second complexes to the third is Q. Q is reduced to QH 2which carries the e to Complex III. In this
−¿¿

process no hydrogen ions are transmitted to the intermembrane space.

Fig 1.3: complex II

Complex III

The third complex, also known as cytochrome oxidoreductase, is comprised of cytochrome c, Rieske
center, another Fe-S protein, , and cytochrome b proteins. A prosthetic group of heme is present in
Cytochrome proteins. Heme molecule bear a resemblance to the heme in hemoglobin. But it transport
electrons not oxygen. In this way Iron ion is reduced and oxidized, as it passes the e−¿¿ , fluctuating among
different oxidation states (Fe++ and Fe+++). Because of different proteins binding the heme molecules in
cytochromes, giving somewhat different characteristics to each complex. Electron are passed to
cytochrome c, after being pumped from a membrane through complex III, for transmission to the IV
complex of proteins and enzymes.

Complex IV

This complex is comprised of cytochrome proteins (c, a, and a3) three copper ions two heme groups.
While waiting for the oxygen to completely reduced, cytochromes hold a molecule of oxygen, tightly
+¿¿
between the copper and iron ions. Then, reduced oxygen picks up two H ions from the surrounding to
make water. The removal of the ions from the system contributes to the ion gradient used in the process
of chemiosmosis.
 Fig 1.4: Complex IV

Oxidative phosphorylation:

Oxidative Phosphorylation is a part of cellular respiration which produces ATP. The term oxidative
indicates that oxidative phosphorylation is an aerobic process, which means that it only happens in the
presence of oxygen. OP occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells, specifically in the inner
membrane, matrix, and intermembrane space

Purpose:

OP utilize the proton gradient established by the ETC in mitochondria to influence the production of ATP
from ADP and phosphate (Pi). Oxidative phosphorylation produces more ATP than glycolysis. This ATP
can then be hydrolyzed by H 2O to discharge free energy.

As ETC involves the transmission of electrons through 4 different complexes of protein, within the inner
mitochondrial membrane, which pumps protons into the intermembrane space between the outer and
inner membranes. As a result a proton gradient is created which is then used to power the synthesis of
ATP.
 Fig 1.5: OP

Chemiosmosis:

The actual synthesis of ATP using the proton gradient set up the Phosphorylation portion of OP. Due to
the electron transport chain a high concentration of electrons are present inside the inner membrane,
which produces a negative charge, and a high concentration of protons are present outside the inner
membrane, which produces a positive charge. As a result large difference in electrical charges is created
which is known as proton-motive force. This force just indicates that the protons on outside are so much
attracted to the electrons on inside that they want to move through the inner membrane. Protons are
pumped back into the mitochondrial matrix through the fifth complex as ATP synthase with the help of
motive force.

ATP Synthesis Reaction:

The reaction that yields ATP is written as follow:

Pi + ADP + free energy H2O + ATP

This reaction is reversible. Reverse reaction releases energy therefore it is exergonic while first reaction
needs energy therefore it is endergonic. Because of reversibility of reaction ADP can produce ATP and
vice versa.

Profit:

About 28 ATP molecules are created which can be hydrolyzed using water to release free energy for use
in other functions of cell e.g. glycolysis. 2 ATP's molecule are produced from the citric acid cycle and
glycolysis. 32 is the maximum yield however, you'll probably get around 30 most of the time.