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Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain Components01:29

Electron Transport Chain Components

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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...
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Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
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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.
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Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
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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.
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How does electron transfer occur in microbial fuel cells?

Kartik S Aiyer1

  • 1Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, 515134, India. kartiksaiyer@gmail.com.

World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
|January 20, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) generate electricity from wastewater using microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET). Understanding EET mechanisms is key to advancing MFC technology for sustainable energy and treatment.

Keywords:
CytochromeElectrogenic bacteriaExtracellular electron transferMicrobial fuel cellRedox mediatorTerminal electron acceptor

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Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer sustainable wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation.
  • Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a critical process in MFC operation, enabling microbes to generate current.
  • Exoelectrogenic bacteria utilize various mechanisms to transfer electrons to the anode.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and elucidate the diverse mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer (EET) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
  • To highlight the importance of understanding EET for optimizing MFC performance and applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on microbial fuel cell operation and electron transfer mechanisms.
  • Analysis of direct and mediated electron transfer pathways employed by exoelectrogenic bacteria.
  • Discussion of factors influencing EET efficiency, including redox potentials and microbial metabolism.

Main Results:

  • EET mechanisms include direct transfer via conductive pili/nanowires and mediated transfer using natural or artificial redox mediators.
  • Microbial oxidative metabolism and redox potentials significantly impact the efficiency of electron transfer.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for enhancing MFC performance.

Conclusions:

  • Elucidating EET mechanisms in MFCs is vital for their practical application in wastewater treatment and energy generation.
  • Further research into microbial-electrode interactions will drive innovation in sustainable bioelectrochemical systems.