Final answer:
The electron transport chain in the mitochondria uses high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 to create ATP. Protein complexes and carrier molecules transport the electrons along the inner membrane, pumping hydrogen ions across and creating an electrochemical gradient. ATP synthase uses this gradient to produce ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron transport chain (ETC) is an important stage in aerobic respiration that uses the high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH2 to create ATP. The ETC is embedded in the inner membrane of the mitochondria and consists of protein complexes I, III, and IV, as well as ubiquinone and cytochrome C. As the electrons flow through these complexes, hydrogen ions (H+) are pumped across the inner membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. This gradient drives the synthesis of ATP through the enzyme ATP synthase, which allows H+ ions to flow back into the matrix and phosphorylate ADP to produce ATP.