Final answer:
The electron carriers in the mitochondrial inner membrane's respiratory enzyme complexes transfer electrons through the electron transport chain and pump protons to create an electrochemical gradient essential for ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron carriers of the respiratory enzyme complexes in the inner membrane of the mitochondria have a critical function in the process of aerobic respiration.
These carriers assist in the transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain (ETC), which consists of four protein complexes named I, II, III, and IV, and two mobile carriers known as Coenzyme-Q (Q) and Cytochrome c (Cyt c).
The carriers that are part of complexes I, III, and IV are not only involved in electron transport but also actively pump protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, thus generating an electrochemical gradient.
Complex II, while also a part of the ETC, does not pump protons but transfers electrons.
The energy from the moving electrons is then harvested to synthesize ATP via chemiosmosis in a process known as oxidative phosphorylation, which is essential for cell survival.