Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What is the primary function of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration?
A
To generate ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation
B
To produce oxygen as a byproduct
C
To directly convert glucose into pyruvate
D
To create a proton gradient for ATP synthesis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Recognize that the primary function of the ETC is to transfer electrons from electron donors like NADH and FADH2 to electron acceptors such as oxygen, through a series of redox reactions.
As electrons move through the ETC, energy is released and used to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
This proton gradient generates a potential energy difference, known as the proton motive force, which is crucial for ATP synthesis.
The enzyme ATP synthase uses the energy stored in the proton gradient to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate into ATP, a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.