Final answer:
The electron carrier Cytochrome c is used in the mitochondrial electron transport chain to generate a proton motive force (PMF), which is essential for ATP production.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the electron carriers such as Cytochrome c are utilized to generate a proton motive force (PMF). These carriers facilitate the transfer of electrons that originate from NADH and FADH2 through the transport chain. As electrons move through this sequence of redox reactions, they provide the energy necessary for certain proteins to pump protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix across the inner membrane into the intermembrane space, thus establishing an electrochemical gradient. This gradient creates the PMF, which is a form of potential energy that is ultimately utilized by ATP synthase to drive the synthesis of ATP in a process called chemiosmosis. Hence, while NADH and FADH2 are high-energy electron donors that initiate the process, and ATP synthase is the enzyme that synthesizes ATP, it is the action of electron carriers like Cytochrome c that generates the proton gradient needed for ATP production.