Electron Transport Chain Mnemonics

Overview

• Purpose: To understand and remember the electron transport chain (ETC) details in 5 minutes.
• Key components: Focus on remembering the complexes, proton pumping, and electron flow.

Main Concepts

Components of the Electron Transport Chain

• Complexes:
  • Complex 1: NADH coenzyme Q oxidoreductase
  • Complex 2: Succinate dehydrogenase (part of TCA cycle, no proton transfer)
  • Complex 3: Cytochrome bc1 complex
  • Complex 4: Cytochrome c oxidase
  • Complex 5: ATP synthase

Electron Flow

• Electron Donors:
  • NADH
  • FADH2
• Electron Carriers:
  • Coenzyme Q
  • Cytochrome c
• Electron Acceptor:
  • Oxygen (O2) is reduced to water (H2O)

Proton Pumping

• Protons pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space:
  • Complex 1: 4 protons
  • Complex 3: 4 protons
  • Complex 4: 2 protons
• Complex 2 does not pump protons.

ATP Synthesis

• Proton gradient utilized by ATP synthase (Complex 5) to produce ATP.
• Proton flow drives the rotation of ATP synthase, combining ADP with inorganic phosphate (Pi) to form ATP.

Mnemonics

• Electron flow mnemonic: "Brother NAD and FAD cooked for 42 dishes with water and ATP."

  • NAD and FAD are electron donors.
  • Coenzyme Q is the "cook" transferring electrons.
  • 42 refers to the proton pumping sequence: 4 protons (Complex 1), 2 protons (Complex 4).

• Complex names mnemonic: "Red Super Cyclone Killed an Ox."

  • Red: NADH coenzyme Q oxidoreductase (Complex 1)
  • Super: Succinate dehydrogenase (Complex 2)
  • Cyclone: Cytochrome bc1 complex (Complex 3)
  • Ox: Cytochrome c oxidase (Complex 4)

Conclusion

• Mnemonics help memorize the ETC components and their functions easily within 5 minutes.
• Understanding the flow of electrons and proton pumping is essential for grasping how ATP is generated in the ETC.

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