Let�s look at a brief overview of the electron
transport chain
The electron transport chain extracts energy
from molecules and uses that energy to make
ATPs
We can think of the electron transport chain
in terms of potential energy
In a staircase the top stair contains a certain
amount of potential energy
The middle stair contains less potential energy
than the top stair
This is where our energy molecules come into
the picture
NADH contains potential energy in the form
of electrons
NADH enters the electron transport chain at
a higher energy state to allow the production
of 3ATPs
FADH2 enters the system at a lower energy
state which allows the production of 2 ATPS
The electron transport chain is located in
the mitochondrion
Specifically in the inner membrane
Embedded in the membrane is a series of protein
complexes
The inner membrane is called the cristae
The outer portion of the membrane is called
the intramembranous space
The inner portion is called the matrix
The protein complexes work to move hydrogen
ions from the matrix to the intramembranous
space
The last complex uses the hydrogen or proton
gradient to make ATP by adding a phosphate
to ADP by phosphorylation
NADH enters the system at the first complex
FADH2 enters a bit further down the chain
The energy is provided by electrons moving
from higher to lower energy levels
We hope you have learned something about the
electron transport chain and we'll see you
next time.
