Electron Transport Chain(ETC)

Location of reaction: inner membrane of mitochondrion

Protein complex involve: Complex I ( NADH Dehydrogenase)

ComplexII ( Succinate Dehydrogenase)

ComplexIII ( Cytochrome Reductase)

ComplexIV ( Cytochrome C Oxidase)

Prosthetic group involve: Coenzyme Q (mobile carrier)

Cyctochrome C ( attach near to Complex III)

ETC is a redox reaction where oxidation occurs whenever protein complex donate electron and
reduction occur whenever protein complex accept electron. ETC involve the transfer of electron from
1 protein complex to another with the release of H+ ions throughout the process.

Process Flow

NADH and FADH2 undergo oxidation to produce 1 electron (H+) and 2 electron (2H+) respectively.

Complex I accept electrons from NADH while Complex II accept electrons from NADH2. This
electrons are then transported by Conezyme Q to Complex III. From Complex III, the electrons are
then transported to cyctochtome C and eventually to the final electron acceptor which is oxygen
molecule in Cythochrome C. The Cyctochorme C then oxides the oxygen molecule to water molecule
by the following equation.

0.5 O2 +2H+ H2O

The redox reactions cause the accumulation of H+ ions at the inter membrane space. This creates a
concentration gradient ( electrochemical gradient) between inter membrane space with inner
mitochondrial membrane.
 Chemiosmosis

Location of reaction: Inner mitochondrial membrane

Enzyme involve: ATP Synthase

Defined as: movement of ions across a semi permeable membrane down their concentration gradient

H+ ions that was pumped into inter membrane of mitochondrion through Electron Transport Chain
cannot pass through the protein complexes( I,II,III,IV) because the pathway is only one way (from
inner membrane of mitochondrion to inter membrane of mitochondrion). This is the reason why ATP
synthase needed in chemiosmosis at inner membrane of mitochondrion.

Process Flow

The H+ ion enter the ATP syntase at inter membrane space and leave at inner membrane of
mitochondrion. This process provide energy to ATP synthase to synthesis ATP from ADP and
inorganic phosphate that were found at inner membrane of mitochondrion. 3 H+ ions are needed to
synthesis 1 ATP. The concentration gradient of H+ ions is associated with ATP synthesis. This process
occur only when there is concentration difference between the 2 phases. If there is no different in
concentration, thus no energy generated at ATP synthase and no ATP produce .
 Anaerobic Cellular Respiration

1. Cellular respiration in the absent of oxygen.

2. It required an additional process right after glycolysis in cytoplasm.

3 .The process known as fermentation where it oxidizes NADH to NAD+ in both plant and animal

cells to generate NAD+ so that glycolysis process continue to generate ATP.

4. In plant cells, it is known as alcohol fermentation while in animal cells, it is known as lactic acid
fermentation

5. ETC cannot be carried out due to absence of oxygen (no electron acceptor) making less energy
generated compared to aerobic respiration.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Location of process take place: human cell (muscle cell) and some bacteria

When does it happen: in the absence of oxygen molecules ( oxygen debt during vigorous activities)

Applications: yogurts, sour beers and pickles

Process Flow

The glucose molecule undergoes glycolysis process (1st step in cellular respiration) normally and
produce 2 pyruvate molecules, 2 NADH and 2 net ATP. The 2 pyruvate molecules are then reduced to
2 lactate by the enzyme known as lactic acid dehydrogenase. At the same time, 2 NADH is oxidized to
2 NAD+ and the 2 NAD+ molecules enter the glycolysis process to replace the used up NAD+
molecules in glycolysis. This process continue until it generates ATP in glycolysis.Below is the flow
diagram of the whole process involve in lactic acid fermentation;
 2ADP + Pi 2 ATP

Glucose 2 Pyruvate

2 NAD+ 2 NADH

Lactate
2 Lactate Dehydrogenase
 Alcohol Fermentation

Location of process take place: yeast

When does it happens: absence of oxygen molecules

Applications: alcohol beverages, bread production and ethanol fuel

Process Flow

The glucose molecule undergoes glycolysis process (1st step in cellular respiration) normally and
produce 2 pyruvate molecules , 2 NADH and 2 net ATP. The 2 pyruvate molecules (3C) is converted
to 2 acetaldehyde molecules (2C) and CO2 (release out of cell) by the enzyme called pyruvate
decarboxylase. Then, the 2 molecules of acetaldehyde reduced to 2 molecules of ethanol. At the same
time 2 NADH molecules are oxidized to 2 NAD+ molecules. The conversion of acetaldehyde to
ethanol is aided by enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. The 2 NAD+ molecules enter the glycolysis
process to replace the used up NAD+ molecules in glycolysis. This process continue until it generates
ATP in glycolysis. Below is the flow diagram of the whole process involve in alcohol fermentation;

2ADP + Pi 2 ATP

Glucose

2 Pyruvate

2 NAD+ 2 NADH

2 CO2
2 Ethanol 2 Acetaldehyde

Pyruvate
Decarboxylase

Alcohol Dehydrogenase