Electron Transport Chain

Definition

The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes and electron carrier molecules within the inner mitochondrial membrane that harvest energy from electrons to create ATP.

Related terms

NADH and FADH2: These are electron carriers that donate electrons to the electron transport chain, much like how people get on a water slide.

ATP synthase:

This is an enzyme that uses the proton gradient created by the electron transport chain to make ATP - it's like the exit pool at the bottom of our waterslide where all that kinetic energy finally gets put to use!

Chemiosmosis:

This process uses energy stored in a proton gradient across a membrane (created by our waterslide-like ETC) to drive cellular work such as ATP synthesis.