Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain, also known as the electron transport system, is a group of proteins that transfer electrons through a membrane within mitochondria to create a gradient of protons that drives adenosine triphosphate (ATP)synthesis. The cell uses ATP as an energy source for metabolic processes and cellular functions. ETC involves series of reactions that convert redox energy from NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) + hydrogen (H)) and FADH2(flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)) oxidation into proton-motive force(PMF), which is then used to synthesize ATP through conformational changes in the ATP synthase complex, a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
Metabolism
Picture a campfire. It keeps the body warm on a cold night and provides light. To ensure that the fire keeps burning, fuel needs to be added(pieces of wood in this case). When a small piece is added, the fire burns bright for a bit and then dies down unless more wood is added. But, if too many pieces are placed at a time, the fire escalates and burns for a longer time, without actually burning away all the pieces that have been added. Many of them, especially the larger chunks or damp pieces, remain unburnt.
Cellular Respiration
Cellular respiration is the cellular process involved in the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules from the organic nutritional source obtained from the diet. It is a universal process observed in all types of life forms. The glucose (chemical formula C6H12O6) molecules are the preferred raw material for cell respiration as it possesses a simple structure and is highly efficient in nature.
How does Pyruvate dehydrogenase contribute to
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDHs) describes a cornerstone in the metabolismof cellular energy that links glyolysis and metabolism of the branched chain amino acids to the lipogeneis and citric acid cycle.
The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is a complex of 3 enzymes that play a role in the metabolism by regulating the carbon flux via glycolysis and the TCA cycle. It connects the glycolytic reactions to the TCA cycle enzymes by catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate (an end product of glycolysis) into TCA cycle.
This irreversible conversion of the pyruvate to the acetyl-CoA is an important step in the metabolic pathway to produce energy through cellular respiration and is known as the pyruvate decarboxylation.
Importance – then Acetyl-CoA may be used in the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle to carry out cellular respiration.
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