Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which component of the electron transport chain is primarily responsible for transferring electrons from NADH to ubiquinone (coenzyme Q)?
A
Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase)
B
Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase)
C
Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase)
D
Complex III (cytochrome bc_1 complex)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of the electron transport chain (ETC): The ETC is a series of protein complexes and molecules embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer electrons from electron carriers (like NADH and FADH2) to oxygen, generating a proton gradient used for ATP synthesis.
Identify the electron carrier involved: NADH is the molecule donating electrons in this case. It is oxidized to NAD⁺, releasing high-energy electrons into the ETC.
Determine the first complex in the ETC: Complex I, also known as NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, is responsible for accepting electrons from NADH. It transfers these electrons to ubiquinone (coenzyme Q), which is a mobile electron carrier in the membrane.
Understand the mechanism of Complex I: Complex I uses the energy from electron transfer to pump protons (H⁺) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, contributing to the proton gradient necessary for ATP synthesis.
Eliminate other options: Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) transfers electrons from FADH2, not NADH. Complex III (cytochrome bc₁ complex) and Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) are downstream in the ETC and do not directly interact with NADH.