Multiple Choice
What is the primary function of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration?
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8. Respiration
Electron Transport Chain
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What is the primary function of the electron transport chain in cellular respiration?
A
To produce ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation
B
To synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water
C
To generate a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane
D
To directly convert glucose into pyruvate
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the electron transport chain (ETC) is the final stage of cellular respiration, occurring 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 protein complexes.
As electrons move through these complexes, energy is released and used to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient.
This proton gradient generates a potential energy difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane, known as the proton motive force.
The proton motive force drives protons back into the matrix through ATP synthase, a process that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, known as oxidative phosphorylation.
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