Powering Life:
Exploring the Electron
Transport Chain and
Oxidative
Phosphorylation
At the heart of cellular energy production lies the intricate dance of the electron transport
chain (ETC) and the process of oxidative phosphorylation. This presentation will guide you
through the key stages and complexes of this fundamental biological process, shedding
light on how cells harness the power of glucose metabolism to generate the ultimate
energy currency - ATP.
by Arpita
Overview of Glycolysis and Krebs Cycle
Glycolysis Krebs Cycle Energy Yield
The initial stage of glucose Also known as the citric acid cycle, Together, glycolysis and the Krebs
metabolism, where a series of this cyclic pathway oxidizes the cycle produce a limited amount of
enzymatic reactions convert pyruvate produced in glycolysis, ATP, setting the stage for the more
glucose into pyruvate, generating releasing electrons that fuel the efficient process of oxidative
a small amount of ATP in the ETC. phosphorylation.
process.
Stages of the Electron
Transport Chain
1 Complex I
Also known as NADH dehydrogenase, this complex accepts
electrons from NADH and transfers them to the next carrier in
the chain.
2 Complex II
Succinate dehydrogenase, which oxidizes succinate to
fumarate, also feeds electrons into the ETC.
3 Complex III
The cytochrome bc1 complex, where electrons are passed
between cytochrome b and cytochrome c, generating a proton
gradient.
Complexes of the Electron
Transport Chain
Complex I Complex II
NADH dehydrogenase, the Succinate dehydrogenase, a
largest and most complex of the vital link in the Krebs cycle, also
ETC complexes, initiates the contributes electrons to the
flow of electrons. chain.
Complex III Complex IV
The cytochrome bc1 complex, Cytochrome c oxidase, the final
also known as the cytochrome complex, accepts electrons and
reductase, plays a crucial role in reduces oxygen to water,
proton gradient generation. completing the ETC.
Oxidative Phosphorylation
and ATP Synthesis
Electron Flow
The ETC complexes facilitate the flow of electrons, creating a
proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Proton Motive Force
The proton gradient generates a proton motive force, which
drives the ATP synthase enzyme to produce ATP.
ATP Synthesis
The ATP synthase complex, also known as Complex V, couples
the flow of protons back across the membrane to the
phosphorylation of ADP, generating ATP.
Role of Oxygen in the
Electron Transport Chain
1 Oxygen as the 2 Maintaining the
Terminal Acceptor Proton Gradient
Oxygen is the final electron The reduction of oxygen to
acceptor in the ETC, water helps maintain the
accepting electrons and being proton gradient across the
reduced to water. inner mitochondrial
membrane, powering ATP
synthesis.
3 Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Health
Imbalances in oxygen utilization can lead to the formation of
reactive oxygen species, which can damage mitochondrial
components.
Regulation and Control of the
Electron Transport Chain
Energy Demand
The ETC is responsive to the cell's energy needs, adjusting its activity based on ATP levels.
Feedback Mechanisms
Various regulatory mechanisms, such as allosteric control and post-translational
modifications, fine-tune the ETC's efficiency.
Mitochondrial Dynamics
Mitochondrial fusion and fission events can modulate the ETC's capacity to meet the cell's
energy demands.
Coupling of Electron
Transport and ATP
Synthesis
1 Proton Gradient
The electron transport chain generates a proton gradient across
the inner mitochondrial membrane.
2 Proton Motive Force
This proton gradient creates a proton motive force that drives the
ATP synthase enzyme to produce ATP.
3 Coupled Process
The coupling of electron transport and ATP synthesis is a highly
efficient process, allowing cells to maximize their energy
production.
Total ATP Yield from
Glucose Metabolism
Glycolysis 2 ATP
Krebs Cycle 2 ATP
Electron Transport Chain 34-36 ATP
Total ATP Yield 38-40 ATP
By coupling the energy-releasing processes of glycolysis, the Krebs
cycle, and the electron transport chain, cells are able to generate a
substantial amount of ATP, the universal energy currency of the
cell.
Conclusion and Key
Takeaways
1 The Electron 2 Oxidative
Transport Chain Phosphorylation
A complex series of The process of coupling
membrane-bound protein the proton gradient to the
complexes that facilitate synthesis of ATP, the cell's
the flow of electrons, primary energy currency.
generating a proton
gradient.
3 Efficient Energy Production
The coordinated action of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the
electron transport chain allows cells to extract the maximum
energy from glucose.
