Question

What is the major function of the electron transport system?

Answer 1

Electron Transport System (ETS):

1. Electron transport system occurs in the cristae of mitochondria.
2. Electron transport system is a series of protein complexes and organic molecules where electrons are transferred from one complex to another through a series of redox reactions.
3. The energy released in this transfer is coupled with proton gradients and is used to create ATP as well as oxidative phosphorylation.
4. Electron transport system contains four major complexes which are-

1. Complex I - also known as ubiquinone oxidoreductase.
2. Complex II - also known as succinate dehydrogenase
3. Complex III - also known as cytochrome c reductase
4. Complex IV - cytochrome c oxidase

5. Along with these four complexes ETS also contains two diffusible electron carriers - ubiquinone and cytochrome C.

Functions of Electron Transport System:

1. Electron Transport System (ETS) functions for production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation reactions.
2. In mitochondria electrochemical gradient is produced by the function of ETS between matrix and inner mitochondrial space(High at inner mitochondrial space and low at matrix).