ETC Flashcards
(16 cards)
Front
Back
What is the primary role of NADH and FADH2 in oxidative phosphorylation?
“They donate electrons to the electron transport chain (ETC), which are used to generate a proton gradient.”
Where does the electron transport chain occur?
“In the inner mitochondrial membrane.”
What is the result of electron flow in the ETC?
“Transport of protons (H+) into the intermembrane space, creating an electrochemical gradient.”
What drives ATP synthesis in oxidative phosphorylation?
“The flow of H+ back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase (F₀F₁ complex), coupled with conformational changes that produce ATP.”
What is chemiosmosis?
“The movement of protons (H+) across the membrane down their gradient, driving ATP synthesis.”
What is the role of the proton gradient in oxidative phosphorylation?
“It serves as the energy intermediate linking electron transport to ATP synthesis.”
What happens if oxidative phosphorylation is uncoupled?
“Electron transport continues, but ATP synthesis stops (energy is released as heat).”
Which enzyme directly synthesizes ATP in oxidative phosphorylation?
“ATP synthase (F₀F₁ complex).”
What is the final electron acceptor in the ETC?
“Oxygen (O₂), which forms water (H₂O).”
How are electron transport and ATP synthesis coupled?
“The proton gradient links them; inhibiting one disrupts the other.”
What is the significance of the intermembrane space in oxidative phosphorylation?
“It accumulates protons (H+), creating the gradient used for ATP synthesis.”
What are the two components of ATP synthase?
“F₀ (proton channel) and F₁ (catalytic domain for ATP production).”
What happens to the F₁ domain during ATP synthesis?
“Conformational changes catalyze ADP + Pᵢ → ATP.”
What is the role of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) in the ETC?
“It accepts electrons from NADH in Complex I.”
What does the TCA cycle provide for oxidative phosphorylation?
NADH and FADH₂, which feed electrons into the ETC.
