描述
The Electron Transport Chain is a series of redox reactions, electrons travel down the chain releasing their energy in controlled steps. These reactions drive the active transport of H+ ions from the mitochondrial matrix , through the inner membrane to the intermembrane space. The respiratory chain consists of five main types of carrier; flavins, iron-sulfur centres, quinones, cytochromes (heme proteins) and copper. The two main reducing equivalents entering the respiratory chain are NADH and FADH2. NADH is linked through the NADH-specific dehydrogenase whereas FADH2 is reoxidised within succinate dehydrogenase and a ubiquinone reductase of the fatty acid oxidation pathway. Oxygen is the final acceptor of electrons and with H+ ions, is converted to form water, the end product of aerobic cellular respiration.