Electron Transport Chain

The Electron Transport Chain occurs both in the process of cell respiration and photosynthesis.
The goal of the electron transport chain is to transfer electrons from different complexes/
photosystems. While these electrons passes through these complexes/photosystems, it then
releases a hydrogen ion (H+) across the membrane. This then creates a proton gradient (or also
called a hydrogen gradient) which is essential for the production of ATPs during Chesmiosmosis.

Electron Transport Chain in Cellular Respiration

The electron transport chain in cellular respiration is a part of aerobic respiration. The chain is a
series of redox reactions because both oxidation and reduction occurs during the process. The
Electron Transport chain occurs inside the Mitochondria.
To know what is the purpose of oxidation and reduction, remember the word OIL RIG. Oxidation Is
Loosing (electrons) while Reduction Is Gaining (electrons).
The sources of the electrons comes from the bi-products of the Krebs Cycle and Glycolysis which
are the coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These two are called as reduced coenzymes as they
easily give out their electrons during the electron transport chain. Each NADH molecule is indirectly
responsible for the production of 3 ATP molecules while each FADH2 is indirectly responsible for
the production of 2 ATP molecules. The reason as to why FADH2 indirectly produces a lower ATP is
because is starts at a lower energy level than that of the NADH.

(1) NADH + H+ will go to the protein complex I or also known as the NADH dehydrogenase. NADH
+ H+ will be oxidized. This will then become NAD+. Two electrons will be in the protein complex
I and hydrogen ions will be pumped out from the complex.
(2) These electrons would be transferred to the protein complex III or also known as the
cytochrome b-c1 complex by a mobile transfer molecule called the coenzyme Q or ubiquinone.
Note that coenzyme Q is not a protein. As an electron is being placed in this complex, a
hydrogen ion is being pumped out from the inter membrane space of the mitochondria.
(3) The electrons will then be again transferred from the protein complex IV or also known as the
cytochrome oxidase complex by the cytochrome c. Cytochrome c only transfers electrons one
at a time and a hydrogen ion will be pumped out as every electron goes to the next complex

which is the protein complex IV. After this, 2 hydrogen molecules and an oxygen molecule will
then fuse with two electron molecules to form water. This chemical process is called reduction
The oxygen molecule is the final electron acceptor this is where the electrons be terminated
forming a compound of water.
(4) FADH also follows the same process but it goes from one energy level lower. It passes through
the protein complex II and then FADH2 will then become FAD. The coenzyme Q also passes it
through the protein complex III and then cytochrome c will then pass is through the protein
complex IV. Every electron that has been transferred to every complex will then release a
hydrogen ion from the matrix to the inter membrane space.
(5) Because of the heavy concentration of the hydrogen ion in the inter membrane space, a proton
gradient or a hydrogen ion gradient will be formed since the matrix contains less hydrogen ions
than the inter membrane space.
(6) Hydrogen ions will go to ATP synthase to perform chesmiosmosis wherein the ADP + P will
become ATP.

Electron Transport Chain in Photosynthesis

Same as the electron transport chain in cellular respiration, the photosynthetic electron transport
chain also pumps out hydrogen ions and transfers electrons to different photosystems. The
different in here is that it needs light for it to perform as this is why it was called the light dependent
reaction.

(1) A photon of light will be absorbed by the photosystem II. This will then transfer to other pigment
molecules until it reaches one of the chlorophyl a molecule inside the reaction center. Electrons
will get excited and would go to the Plastoquinone (PQ).
(2) As the electron passes through the plastoquinone, a water molecule is attached to a watersplitting enzyme. After the water is split, an electron will be produced and these electrons are
supplied one by one to the chlorophyll a inside the reaction center.
(3) Now, when the electrons pass through the plastoquinone, it will then transfer it to the b6-f
complex or known the as cytochrome complex. As the electron passes through the cytochrome
complex, hydrogen ion from the stoma would them pump out to the thylakoid space. As
hydrogen ions are pumped out from the thylakoid space, chesmiosmosis will bring about
phosphorylation to produce ADP + P to ATP.

(4) Now then, a photon of light will then be absorbed by the photosystem I. Same as the
photosysthem II, this light would be transferred to several pigment molecules until it reaches
the chlorophyl a molecule inside the reaction state.
(5) As you remember an electron is still in the cytochrome complex, the electron from the
cytochrome complex will then be transferred by the plastocyanin to the photosystem I
supplying electrons again to the chlorophyl a inside the reaction center.
(6) Now, as high energy electrons goes out from the photosystem I, an electron carrier called the
ferredoxin will carry the electron to the NADP reductase. NAPD reductase needs two high
energy electrons to reduce NADP+ to NADPH.