Answer
Electron transport chain involves the synthesis of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the energy source for the body. ATP synthase is an enzyme that helps to push the H+ ions from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix and the energy released is used to convert ADP to ATP.
Oxidation and reduction of various species takes place during the entire process. The species gain hydrogen ions and get reduced.
The enzymes involved in the various complexes help in maintaining the concentration gradient and fasten the entire process.
The electron transport chain consists of five complexes that are responsible for the ATP synthesis. The NADH and FADH2 are the reducing equivalents produced in the KREB’s cycle that release electrons in these five complexes. The transfer of electrons to all the complexes produces energy that pushes the hydrogen ions from the mitochondrial matrix to the inter membrane space. A concentration gradient is setup between the inter membrane space and the mitochondrial membrane.
ATP synthase helps to push the H+ ions from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix and the energy released is used to convert ADP to ATP. Cyt c is an iron containing enzyme that couples with Q (coenzyme Q) in the electron transport chain.
A species that gains hydrogen ions is said to be reduced and is an oxidizing agent. A species that loses hydrogen ions is called as oxidized and is a reducing agent.
Attached file contains the detailed solution
Electron Transport Chain or Oxidative phosphorylation is a series of reductions and oxidation reactions to yield ATP, high energy molecules. The enzyme, which plays a crucial role in creating proton gradient is ATP synthase.
The conversion of ADP to ATP releases energy.
In the given chain, coenzyme Q couples with the Cytochrome C for the conversion of ADP to ATP.
The species FADH₂ has oxidized and lost the protons to coenzyme Q. The FADH₂ will be converted to FAD.
FADH₂ + Q [tex]\rightarrow[/tex] FAD + QH₂
In the reaction, the coenzyme has gained electrons, therefore undergone reduction.
As we know, cytochrome C is the iron-containing enzyme, which is represented as Fe ³⁺. It is present on the reactant side, such that:
The coefficient of Fe ³⁺ is 2.
The reaction is given as now:
QH₂ + 2 cyt c (Fe ³⁺) - Q + 2 cyt c (Feˣ ) + 2H⁺
Charge present on the reactant side = 2 x 3 =+6
Also, the species on the product side and the reactant side should have an equal number of charges.
Now, following the law of conservation of mass:
QH₂ + 2 cyt c (Fe ³⁺) - Q + 2 cyt c (Feˣ ) + 2H⁺
From the law,
charge on the product side = Charge on reactant side
2 x + (+2) = +6
x = 6 - 4
x = 2
Thus, the equation becomes:
QH₂ + 2 cyt c (Fe ³⁺) - Q + 2 cyt c (Fe²⁺ ) + 2H⁺
Therefore, the iron ions have a total of +4 charges and the +2 charges have been contributed by the hydrogen ions on the product side. The stoichiometric coefficient determines the number of iron ions on the product side is 2, thus, the value of x = +2.
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