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Electron Transport Chains

Electron Transport Chains

The final stage of cellular respiration is oxidative phosphorylation that consists of two steps: the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The electron transport chain is a set of proteins found in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to establish a proton gradient that can be used during chemiosmosis to produce ATP and generate electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD, that are used in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
The ETC is comprised of...

Electron Transport Chain Components

Electron Transport Chain Components

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a crucial metabolic pathway that facilitates energy conversion in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotes, the ETC comprises four membrane-associated protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In prokaryotes, the ETC in the plasma membrane can vary in composition, with fewer or different complexes depending on the organism and environmental conditions. These complexes transfer electrons from electron donors, such as NADH and FADH2, to...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...

Metal-Semiconductor Junctions

Metal-Semiconductor Junctions

The contact of metal and semiconductor can lead to the formation of a junction with either Schottky or Ohmic behavior.
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...

The Electron Transport Chain

The Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain or oxidative phosphorylation is an exothermic process in which free energy released during electron transfer reactions is coupled to ATP synthesis. This process is a significant source of energy in aerobic cells, and therefore inhibitors of the electron transport chain can be detrimental to the cell's metabolic processes.
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q in...

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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Translating Extracellular Electron Transfer Activities with Organic Electrochemical Transistors

Translating Extracellular Electron Transfer Activities with Organic Electrochemical Transistors

Published on: January 31, 2025

Electron transport in molecular junctions.

¹Department of Electrical Engineering Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA. nongjian.tao@asu.edu

Nature Nanotechnology

|July 26, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are advancing molecular electronics by controlling electron transport through single molecules. This overview covers molecular switches, transistors, and hybrid devices, crucial for future nanoscale electronics.

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Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Molecular Electronics
Quantum Transport

Background:

The ultimate goal of nanotechnology is to construct electronic devices from individual molecules.
Understanding and controlling electron transport through molecules is essential for this objective.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of recent advances in molecular electronics.
To highlight key areas including molecular switches, transistors, and hybrid devices.

Main Methods:

Review of recent scientific literature on molecular electronics.
Discussion of various device architectures and control mechanisms.

Main Results:

Significant progress has been made in controlling electron transport through molecules.
Development of molecular wires, switches, diodes, and transistor-like devices.
Exploration of hybrid devices controlled by external signals (light, magnetic, chemical, mechanical).

Conclusions:

Molecular electronics is a rapidly advancing field with diverse applications.
Further research is needed on molecule-electrode contacts, device stability, and characterization tools.