Respiratory Chain
The respiratory chain, also known as the electron transport chain, is a series of protein complexes located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. It plays a crucial role in cellular respiration by transferring electrons from NADH and FADH2 to molecular oxygen. This process generates a proton gradient that drives the synthesis of ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
As electrons move through the chain, they release energy, which is used to pump protons into the intermembrane space. This creates a difference in proton concentration, allowing protons to flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase. This flow powers the conversion of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into ATP, providing energy for various cellular functions.