Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Electron carriers are molecules that transport electrons during cellular respiration. They play an essential role in transferring high-energy electrons from one molecule to another within the cell's metabolic pathways.
NADH is a coenzyme and electron carrier involved in cellular respiration. It carries high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain, where their energy is used to generate ATP.
FADH2 is another coenzyme and electron carrier involved in cellular respiration. It also delivers high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain but enters at a later stage compared to NADH.
Cytochrome: Cytochromes are proteins that act as electron carriers within the mitochondrial membrane during cellular respiration. They facilitate the transfer of electrons between different protein complexes in the electron transport chain.