What is the role of the electron transport chain in ATP synthesis?

What is the role of the electron transport chain in ATP synthesis?

Step 1: Understand that the electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of proteins located in the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Step 2: Know that the ETC receives electrons from molecules like NADH and FADH2, which are produced during earlier stages of cellular respiration.
Step 3: Realize that as electrons move through the ETC, they release energy.
Step 4: This energy is used to pump protons (H+ ions) from the inside of the mitochondria to the outside, creating a proton gradient.
Step 5: Understand that the proton gradient creates potential energy, similar to water behind a dam.
Step 6: Know that protons flow back into the mitochondria through a protein called ATP synthase.
Step 7: As protons flow through ATP synthase, it spins and helps convert ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP.
Step 8: Finally, recognize that this process of generating ATP using the energy from electrons is called oxidative phosphorylation.

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