In: Biology
How does the breakdown of glucose fuel the electron transport chain?
Electron transport chain :-
• This is series of electron transporters in inner mitochondrial
membrane which transfer electrons from electron donors to molecular
oxygen and forms proton gradient. This proton gradient is used by
ATP synthase for ATP formation.
So,
Fuel for electron transport chain is electrons for electron donors
like NADH and FADH2.
Glucose breakdown :-
• Glycolysis is first step of glucose breakdown. In this step 2
NADH are produced and glucose is converted into pyruvate.
• Pyruvate goes through decarboxylation and acetyl coenzyme A along
with NADH is produced.
• This acetyl coenzyme goes through Citric acid cycle or krebs
cycle and produces NADH and FADH2.
So, from glucose breakdown total 10 NADH and 2 FADH2 are
produced.
• These NADH and FADH2 gives electrons to electron transport chain and acts as fuel for ETC.