Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock Proton Gradient Secrets Electron Transport Chain

Word Count Emoji
477 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

🎉 Hook: Imagine your phone charging by just moving some tiny particles from one side to another! That's a bit like how our cells power up using the Electron Transport Chain.

ETC basics 🧬

  • The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) is like a tiny electric circuit inside mitochondria.
  • Its job? To create a "proton gradient" - basically, more protons on one side than the other.

Flowing electrons = powering up 🔋

  • Electrons come to the party, brought in by something called "reduced NAD".
  • These electrons hop from one carrier to the next in the ETC, like kids playing a game of "pass the parcel."
  • At every stage of this electron-passing, energy is released.

Proton pumps - the unsung heroes 🚿

  • Think of proton pumps like water pumps in a carnival dunk tank. Every time energy is released (from the electron game above), these pumps send protons flying!
  • There are 3 main carriers (or pumps) in the ETC.
    • First two pumps: 4 protons each. (Imagine them as big super-soakers!)
    • Third pump: 2 protons. (A smaller squirt gun!)
  • Total protons splashed out from the matrix to the space in between the membranes? 10 protons for every pair of electrons from reduced NAD.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock Proton Gradient Secrets Electron Transport Chain

Word Count Emoji
477 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

🎉 Hook: Imagine your phone charging by just moving some tiny particles from one side to another! That's a bit like how our cells power up using the Electron Transport Chain.

ETC basics 🧬

  • The Electron Transport Chain (ETC) is like a tiny electric circuit inside mitochondria.
  • Its job? To create a "proton gradient" - basically, more protons on one side than the other.

Flowing electrons = powering up 🔋

  • Electrons come to the party, brought in by something called "reduced NAD".
  • These electrons hop from one carrier to the next in the ETC, like kids playing a game of "pass the parcel."
  • At every stage of this electron-passing, energy is released.

Proton pumps - the unsung heroes 🚿

  • Think of proton pumps like water pumps in a carnival dunk tank. Every time energy is released (from the electron game above), these pumps send protons flying!
  • There are 3 main carriers (or pumps) in the ETC.
    • First two pumps: 4 protons each. (Imagine them as big super-soakers!)
    • Third pump: 2 protons. (A smaller squirt gun!)
  • Total protons splashed out from the matrix to the space in between the membranes? 10 protons for every pair of electrons from reduced NAD.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟