The function of the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) in eukaryotic cells is to produce a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane. How many protons are taken up from the matrix and transferred or used at each ETC complex?
The function of the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) in eukaryotic cells is to produce a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane. How many protons are taken up from the matrix and transferred or used at each ETC complex?
In the electron transport chain (ETC), the electrons pass through four enzyme complexes, that increases its reduction potential and causes a release in energy. The energy released is utilized to pump hydrogen ions (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space to create a proton gradient. The accumullation of protons in the intermembrane space creates an electrochemical difference with a positive charge outside (H+ accumulation) and a negative charge inside. The electrons passes through the order: complex I, complex II, coenzyme Q (mobile carrier), complex III, cytochrome C, and complex IV.
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