The process of Electron Transport System (ETS) And Oxidative Phosphorylation occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotic cells, and the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells. Oxidative Phosphorylation is also known as the Electron transport chain.

In this article, we will cover the Electron Transport System (ETS) And Oxidative Phosphorylation and their location in detail. You can find notes on Electron Transport System (ETS) And Oxidative Phosphorylation here.

Electron Transport System (ETS) and Oxidative Phosphorylation

Electron Transport System (ETS) and Oxidative Phosphorylation are interconnected processes that occur in cellular respiration, particularly in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells. These processes play a crucial role in generating ATP, the cell’s primary energy currency, by transferring electrons through a series of protein complexes and using the energy released to pump protons across a membrane. This creates a proton gradient, which drives the synthesis of ATP through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Together, ETS and oxidative phosphorylation provide the energy needed for various cellular functions and are fundamental to aerobic metabolism.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

The metabolic pathway through which the electron passes, starting with one transporter and then onto the next, is known as the electron transport chain (ETC). The electron transport chain (ETC) is located in the inner mitochondria membrane of eukaryotic cells and the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells.

The main components of the ETC include:

• Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase): Removes electrons from NADH and transfers them to a mobile electron carrier called ubiquinone (coenzyme Q).
• Complex II (Succinate dehydrogenase): Removes electrons from succinate and transfers them to ubiquinone.
• Complex III (Cytochrome bc₁ complex): Transfers electrons from ubiquinone to cytochrome c. During this process, protons are pumped across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
• Cytochrome c: A small mobile electron carrier that shuttles electrons between Complex III and Complex IV.
• Complex IV (Cytochrome oxidase): The terminal complex of the ETC that accepts electrons from cytochrome c and transfers them to oxygen, the final electron acceptor. Protons are also pumped across the membrane during this process.
• Complex V (ATP synthase): Utilizes the proton gradient generated by the ETC to phosphorylate ADP to ATP.

NADH2 is oxidized by NADH dehydrogenase and electrons are then moved to ubiquinone situated in the inward mitochondrial film. FADH2 is oxidized by succinate dehydrogenase and moved electrons to ubiquinone. The decreased ubiquinone is then oxidized with the move of electrons by means of cytochromes bc 1 complex to cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c is a little protein joined to the external surface of the internal film and moves electrons from complex III to complex IV. At the point when electrons moved to start with one transporter and then onto the next by means of mind-boggling I to complex IV, they are coupled to ATP amalgamation of ATP from ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate) Oxygen assumes an essential part in eliminating electrons and hydrogen particles lastly help in the development of H₂

Electron Transport System (ETS)

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Oxidative phosphorylation is the terminal oxidation of high-impact breath. It is the cycle where ATP is shaped with the assistance of electrons moved from the electron transport chain. F1 molecule is the site of oxidative phosphorylation. It contains an ATP synthase catalyst. At the point when the convergence of proton is higher at F0 than in F1 molecule, ATP synthase became dynamic for ATP blend. The energy from the proton slope is utilized to append the phosphate radical and ADP by high energy bond to produce ATP.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

How does Oxidative Phosphorylation Work?

The process of Oxidative Phosphorylation is followed by the following process:

• Electron Transport Chain (ETC): The process begins with the electron transport chain, a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. During cellular respiration, molecules such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2) donate electrons to the electron transport chain.
• Proton Pumping: As electrons move through the electron transport chain, they transfer energy, which is used to pump protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.
• ATP Synthase: The electrochemical gradient generated by the proton pumping drives protons back across the membrane through a protein complex called ATP synthase. As protons flow through ATP synthase, their energy is used to convert adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP through a process known as phosphorylation.
• Formation of ATP: This process, known as oxidative phosphorylation, results in the formation of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. Each molecule of NADH that enters the electron transport chain can generate approximately 2.5 to 3 molecules of ATP, while each molecule of FADH2 can produce approximately 1.5 to 2 molecules of ATP.

Conclusion – Electron Transport System (ETS) And Oxidative Phosphorylation

In summary, Electron Transport System (ETS) and Oxidative Phosphorylation are intricate processes essential for cellular respiration, occurring predominantly in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cell membranes. These processes are pivotal in ATP production, achieved by electron transfer through protein complexes, creating a proton gradient that fuels ATP synthesis. ETS and oxidative phosphorylation collectively supply energy for various cellular functions, constituting fundamental components of aerobic metabolism.

Also Read:

• Cyclic and Non-cyclic Photo-phosphorylation
• Passive Transport
• Active Transport

FAQs on Electron Transport System (ETS) And Oxidative Phosphorylation

What is ETS and Oxidative Phosphorylation?

ETS (Electron Transport System) is a series of protein complexes that transfer electrons through a membrane to create a proton gradient. Oxidative phosphorylation is the process where ATP is synthesized using the energy from this proton gradient.

What is the Difference Between Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation?

Electron transport refers to the movement of electrons through the electron transport chain (ETC), creating a proton gradient. Oxidative phosphorylation uses this gradient to produce ATP.

What is the ETS in the Electron Transport Chain?

The Electron Transport System (ETS) in the Electron Transport Chain is a sequence of protein complexes that transfer electrons and pump protons to generate a proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane.

Why is the Electron Transport System Known as Oxidative Phosphorylation?

The Electron Transport System is known as oxidative phosphorylation because it involves the oxidation of nutrients to generate a proton gradient used to phosphorylate ADP to ATP.

What is Oxidative Phosphorylation?

Oxidative phosphorylation is the process of producing ATP by using the energy derived from the electron transport chain and the proton gradient it creates.