Chapter 23.8, Problem 2QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

To identify the mobile electron carrier in the electron transport chain.

Concept introduction:

Electron transport chain is a sequence of biochemical reactions in which electrons and hydrogen atoms from the citric acid cycle are transferred to various intermediate carriers and finally reacts with molecular oxygen to form a water molecule. The reaction of the formation of the water is:

  ${\text{O}}_2+4{\text{e}}^{-}+4{\text{H}}^{+}\to 2{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$

Mobile electron carriers are species that transfers electrons between the various complexes of the electron transport chain but is not directly associated with any of the four complexes. Examples of mobile electron carriers include $\text{coenzyme}\text{Q}$ and $\text{cytochrome c}$.