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Electron Transport Chain
Photographic Guide to Classroom Demonstration
Cellular respiration can be a challenging topic for biology students to understand, particularly the complex series of steps in the electron transport chain.
Article Summary: Here is the photographic guide to a classroom hands-on activity designed to help students practice their understanding of the electron transport system of cellular metabolism.
Electron Transport Chain Classroom Activity
Supplies Required for Electron Transport Chain Classroom Activity: 1 & 2. Electron carriers NAD+ and FADH reversible oxidized and reduced form laminated and on string to be worn around neck by student; 3. ETC membrane Protein complexes I, III & IV "neckaces"; 4. ETC electron shuttle protein "necklaces"; 5. O2 and H20 reversible "necklaces"; 6. ATP synthase "necklace"; 7. laminated ATP cards; 8. light-up spike balls to be used as electrons; 9. child-size tennis balls to be used as hydrogen ions; Velcro mitts to hold hydrogen ions pumped across the inner membrane of mitochondria.
Electron Transport Chain Activity
in Action:
1. Electron being transported between students. Note hydrogen ion (H+) suspended from Velcro mitt. 2. ETC Membrane Protein Complex I tossing hydrogen ion across mitochondrial membrane; 3. Most of ETC pictured, with NADH reducing ETC Membrane Protein Complex I.
Student Cast of Electron Transport Chain: 1 & 2: NAD+; 3. NADH; 4. ETC Membrane Protein Complex I (III & IV not pictured); 5. ETC Electron Shuttle (one of two); 6 & 7. ATP synthase (photo 7 also shows O2, the final electron acceptor); 8. O2 / H20 Final Electron Acceptor (note pink catchers mitt).
Supplies Required
- String "necklaces" with laminated cards attached for each of the following (pictured below):
- NAD+ /NADH reversible
- FADH / FADH2 reversible
- 3 ETC Membrane Protein Complexes (I, III & IV)
- 2 ETC Electron Shuttles
- O2 / H20 reversible
- ATP synthase
- Laminated ATP Cards
- Electrons (light up spike balls, at least 2, but 4 is better)
- Hydrogen ions (child size tennis balls, 8)
- Velcro mitts to catch H+ tossed across the inner mitochondrial membrane)
Cast (A group of fantastic students to play the following...)
- NAD+/NADH
- FADH / FADH2
- 3 ETC Membrane Protein Complexes (I, III & IV)
- 2 ETC Electron Shuttles
- O2 / H20
- ATP synthase
- 2 Velcro Mitt Scenery Crew to catch protons
Electron Transport Chain Classroom Activity (Click on photo strip for larger image.)
You have free access to a large collection of materials used in a college-level introductory microbiology course. The Virtual Microbiology Classroom provides a wide range of free educational resources including PowerPoint Lectures, Study Guides, Review Questions and Practice Test Questions.
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SPO VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
The following animations on Electron Transport can help students make sense of all this:
- Electron Transport Chain animation from Molecular & Cellular Biology Learning Cntr.
- Electron Transport Chain click through animation by Graham Kent Bio231 Cell Bio.
- Electron Transport System & Formation of ATP (Quiz 1) by McGraw-Hill
- Electron Transport System & ATP Synthesis (Quiz 2) by McGraw-Hill
You have free access to a large collection of materials used in a college-level introductory Cell Biology Course. The Virtual Cell Biology Classroom provides a wide range of free educational resources including Power Point Lectures, Study Guides, Review Questions and Practice Test Questions.
Want To Learn More About Metabolism and the Electron Transport Chain?
The following is a photographic guide of a simple classroom activity on the ETC that utilizes inexpensive supplies and student participation. For more classroom materials on cellular respiration, see the Metabolism: Aerobic Cellular Respiration Lecture Main Page of the Virtual Cell Biology Classroom.
Page last updated: 8/2015