ELECTRON TRANSPORT Meaning and
Definition
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Electron transport refers to the process by which electrons are transferred along a series of electron carrier molecules within a biological system, such as in cellular respiration or photosynthesis.
In cellular respiration, electron transport takes place in the inner mitochondrial membrane and is a key step in generating ATP, the cell's main energy currency. During this process, electrons are donated by molecules derived from the breakdown of glucose and are passed through a series of protein complexes and coenzyme carriers, such as NADH and FADH2. These molecules act as electron carriers, shuttling the electrons from one protein complex to another in a precise order. As the electrons move through the electron transport chain, their energy is gradually released and used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. This proton gradient is subsequently used by ATP synthase to generate ATP through the process of oxidative phosphorylation.
In photosynthesis, electron transport occurs in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. During the light-dependent reactions, electrons are excited by photons of light and are transferred through a series of carrier molecules known as the electron transport chain. This transfer of electrons leads to the generation of ATP and the production of NADPH, which are used to fuel the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, also known as the Calvin cycle.
Overall, electron transport plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and the conversion of light energy into chemical energy in living organisms.
Common Misspellings for ELECTRON TRANSPORT
- wlectron transport
- slectron transport
- dlectron transport
- rlectron transport
- 4lectron transport
- 3lectron transport
- ekectron transport
- epectron transport
- eoectron transport
- elwctron transport
- elsctron transport
- eldctron transport
- elrctron transport
- el4ctron transport
- el3ctron transport
- elextron transport
- elevtron transport
- eleftron transport
- eledtron transport
- elecrron transport
Etymology of ELECTRON TRANSPORT
The word "electron" originates from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning amber. In ancient Greece, amber was known to generate static electricity when rubbed, hence the name. The term "transport" comes from the Latin word "transportare", which means "to carry across". Therefore, the etymology of "electron transport" refers to the movement or transfer of electrons.
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