The currents of life: the terminal electron-transfer complex of respiration

摘要: Aerobic organisms derive most of the energy needed for life processes by burning foodstuffs with molecular oxygen in air, as first suggested 1789 (1) Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794). In part respiratory process, hydrogen atoms are extracted from organic molecules. The carriers later regenerated chain located cell organelles, mitochondria, or, bacteria, membrane. These chains consist a series membrane-bound protein complexes which split into protons and electrons. electrons passed down reduce to water, whereas left behind on one specific side addition, electron transfer (ET) or "current" through is coupled pumping additional water same membrane side. Thus, two proton currents lead an increased positive charge decreased pH this side-i.e., electrochemical potential across membrane, analogous storage battery. This drives synthesis ATP, universal currency living cells, chemiosmotic mechanism formulated Peter Mitchell (2), who was awarded Nobel Prize Chemistry 1978.