Copyright 1997. Thomas M. Terry, The University of Connecticut.

Animation of Electron transport in Mitochondria

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Go to Animation of ATP synthesis in Mitochondria

The schematic diagram above illustrates a mitochondrion. In the animation, watch as NADH transfers H⁺ ions and electrons into the electron transport system.

Key points:

1. Protons are translocated across the membrane, from the matrix to the intermembrane space
2. Electrons are transported along the membrane, through a series of protein carriers
3. Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor, combining with electrons and H⁺ ions to produce water
4. As NADH delivers more H⁺ and electrons into the ETS, the proton gradient increases, with H⁺ building up outside the inner mitochondrial membrane, and OH^- inside the membrane.

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