Answer to Question #150411 in Biochemistry for Kristine Miquiabas

Question

What happens when an electron permanently stays in a protein complex

Answer 1

The electron transport chain is used to convert high energy molecules NADH and FADH2 into ATP. The energy in the form of electrons is taken from these molecules and passed from molecule to molecule until it is dumped on oxygen. The extra pair of electrons allows oxygen to make another bond, and it makes a water molecule. This frees up the electron transport chain to take another electron from FANH2 or an NADH. If the electrons stay permanently in the protein complex, the electron transport chain will stop and the high energy molecules NADH and FADH2 will not be converted back to NAD and FAD. Without NAD and FAD, the glucose biochemical pathway stops.