Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain, also known as the electron transport system, is a group of proteins that transfer electrons through a membrane within mitochondria to create a gradient of protons that drives adenosine triphosphate (ATP)synthesis. The cell uses ATP as an energy source for metabolic processes and cellular functions. ETC involves series of reactions that convert redox energy from NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) + hydrogen (H)) and FADH2(flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)) oxidation into proton-motive force(PMF), which is then used to synthesize ATP through conformational changes in the ATP synthase complex, a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
Metabolism
Picture a campfire. It keeps the body warm on a cold night and provides light. To ensure that the fire keeps burning, fuel needs to be added(pieces of wood in this case). When a small piece is added, the fire burns bright for a bit and then dies down unless more wood is added. But, if too many pieces are placed at a time, the fire escalates and burns for a longer time, without actually burning away all the pieces that have been added. Many of them, especially the larger chunks or damp pieces, remain unburnt.
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the cellular process involved in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules from the organic nutritional source obtained from the diet. It is a universal process observed in all types of life forms. The glucose (chemical formula C6H12O6) molecules are the preferred raw material for cell respiration as it possesses a simple structure and is highly efficient in nature.
What are the substrate and products of the pathway glycolysis?
Glycolysis:
- It is a catabolic pathway that breaks down a glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules with the release of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride). This occurs in a series of reactions that are catalyzed by several enzymes.
- It takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell.
- It is the first pathway of cellular respiration and followed by the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation that produces further energy.
The schematic representation of glycolysis is as follows.
C6H12O6 + 2ADP + 2Pi + 2NAD+ ? 2C3H4O3 + 2ATP + 2NADH + 2H+ + 2H2O
C6H12O6 - Glucose
C3H4O3 - Pyruvate
ADP - adenosine Diphosphate
NAD+ - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Pi - phosphate ion
ATP - adenosine triphosphate
NADH - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride
H+ - Proton
H20 - water
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