What are the function of the high-energy electrons in the electron transport chain? ( 1 point )
A.) they hold water bonds.
B.) They create ATP synthase
C.) They make ATP from ADP
D.) They carry NADH and FADH2
D.) They carry NADH and FADH2
The correct answer is D.) They carry NADH and FADH2. High-energy electrons in the electron transport chain are responsible for transferring the electrons from molecules like NADH and FADH2 to various protein complexes in the chain. This allows for the generation of a proton gradient, which ultimately leads to the production of ATP through the action of ATP synthase. Therefore, while high-energy electrons are involved in the production of ATP, their primary function is to carry NADH and FADH2.
The function of high-energy electrons in the electron transport chain is option D) They carry NADH and FADH2.
To arrive at this answer, let's briefly explain what the electron transport chain is. The electron transport chain is part of the cellular respiration process that occurs in the mitochondria of the cell. It is the final step of aerobic cellular respiration and plays a crucial role in generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell.
During this process, high-energy electrons are transferred from the carrier molecules NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide) to a series of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. As the electrons pass through these complexes, energy is released, which is used to pump protons (H+) across the membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.
The movement of these high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 through the electron transport chain ultimately leads to the synthesis of ATP. This is achieved by utilizing the energy from the electron flow to drive the pumping of protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating the electrochemical gradient mentioned earlier. ATP synthase, which is embedded in the membrane, uses this electrochemical gradient to generate ATP by combining ADP (adenosine diphosphate) with inorganic phosphate.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer - high-energy electrons carry NADH and FADH2 in the electron transport chain, and their movement plays a vital role in the synthesis of ATP.