Q. 18.44 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

What happens to the energy level as electrons are passed along in electron transport?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The energy level increases as electrons are passed along in electron transport which is used to produce $\mathrm{ATP}$ from $ADP$ and ${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{i}}$

Step 1: Given information

We need to find out change in the energy level as electrons are passed along in electron transport 

Step 2: Explanation

In a process known as electron transport, hydrogen ions and electrons from the reduced coenzymes $\mathrm{NADH}$ and ${\mathrm{FADH}}_2$ are moved from one electron carrier to another. Hydrogen ions and electrons move between carriers until they mix with oxygen to form ${\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$.

In the meantime, the energy generated during this process is used to produce $ATP$ from $\mathrm{ADP}$ and ${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{i}}$, The term for this process is oxidative phosphorylation.