Why are NADH and FADH2 necessities in the electron transport chain

They accept electrons in order to power the electron transport chain

They move down the electron transport
chain

They remove electrons from the electron transport chain

They move electrons to the transport chain

NADH and FADH2 are necessary in the electron transport chain because they serve as electron carriers. During cellular respiration, NADH and FADH2 are produced in the previous steps of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and fatty acid oxidation. These molecules then donate their electrons to the electron transport chain, where the electrons are passed through a series of protein complexes, ultimately producing ATP. NADH donates its electrons to Complex I of the electron transport chain, while FADH2 donates its electrons to Complex II. The movement of electrons down the electron transport chain generates a proton gradient, which is used to produce ATP through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Therefore, NADH and FADH2 play a vital role in powering the electron transport chain and ultimately producing ATP.

NADH and FADH2 are necessities in the electron transport chain for the following reasons:

1. They accept electrons in order to power the electron transport chain: NADH and FADH2 are electron carriers that donate their high-energy electrons to complex I and complex II of the electron transport chain, respectively. These electrons are then transported through a series of protein complexes, ultimately generating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.

2. They move down the electron transport chain: As NADH and FADH2 donate their electrons to the electron transport chain, they are oxidized to NAD+ and FAD, respectively. This allows the electrons to move along the chain, transferring from one protein complex to another.

3. They remove electrons from the electron transport chain: After donating their electrons to the electron transport chain, NADH and FADH2 become oxidized. By accepting these electrons, the electron transport chain prevents the buildup of excess electrons that could potentially disrupt cellular processes.

4. They move electrons to the transport chain: NADH and FADH2 are generated during the breakdown of glucose and other fuel molecules in the cell. These energy-rich molecules carry electrons derived from the oxidation reactions of metabolic pathways and deliver them to the electron transport chain, where the electrons are utilized to generate ATP through the process of oxidative phosphorylation.