In complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Biophysics & Medical Physics · Molecular machines, transport and bioenergetics · Molecular machines, transport and bioenergetics

Forces, Machines and Signals, Ch Proton gradients, ATP synthesis and photosynthesis

Problem

In complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, one electron is passed from cytochrome cc (midpoint potential E∘′=+0.25 VE^{\circ\prime}=+0.25\,\mathrm{V}) to molecular oxygen (E∘′=+0.82 VE^{\circ\prime}=+0.82\,\mathrm{V}). ((a)) Find the redox potential span ΔE\Delta E for this transfer. ((b)) Find the free energy released per electron transferred, in kJ mol−1\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}} and in kBTk_BT at 310 K310\,\mathrm{K} (take 1kBT=2.58 kJ mol−11k_BT = 2.58\,\mathrm{kJ\,mol^{-1}} at this temperature).

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