Electron transport system

Definition

The electron transport system (ETS) is a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions. This process generates a proton gradient across the membrane, ultimately producing ATP through chemiosmosis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In photosynthesis, the ETS is located in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts.
2. The primary electron donor in the photosynthetic ETS is water, which releases oxygen as a byproduct.
3. Photosystem II and Photosystem I are two main components of the photosynthetic ETS.
4. The flow of electrons through the ETS creates a proton gradient used by ATP synthase to produce ATP.
5. NADP+ is reduced to NADPH at the end of the photosynthetic ETS, which is then used in the Calvin cycle.

Related terms

Photosystem II:

A protein complex in the thylakoid membrane that captures light energy to initiate electron transport.

ATP Synthase:

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP using energy from a proton gradient created by the ETS.

NADPH:

A reducing agent produced at the end of the photosynthetic ETS and used in anabolic reactions like the Calvin cycle.