Embedded Files
Mitochondria and ATP
Mitochondria and ATP
At this point, almost everyone has heard the phrase that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. However, what does this actually mean? Why is mitochondria so important? This was the question my teammates and I sought to answer in AP Biology, and it led us straight to the electron transport chain. It turns out that cellular respiration is a process that turns glucose, or sugar, into energy, or ATP. This process of cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria, and the part that creates the most energy is the electron transport chain! I got to work on an educational model for my team.
Plan
Plan
There were technically two major parts to the electron transport chain, so I made two models.
There were technically two major parts to the electron transport chain, so I made two models.
Electron Cascade
Electron Cascade
The purpose of the electron cascade model is to demonstrate the process of electrons falling down a cascade of proteins, thus providing energy for proteins to pump hydrogen atoms into the intermembrane space as represented by the left side ramp
ATP Synthase
ATP Synthase
One enough hydrogen is pumped into the intermembrane space through the electron cascade, those hydrogen then create a concentration gradient that powers the ATP synthase to create ATP. The hydrogen rotates a stem that turns ADP into ATP energy.
Final Result
Final Result
Electron Cascade
Electron Cascade
The completed electron cascade model was nearly four feet long! By using a combination of spinning levers and rubber bands, the marbles representing electrons were able to successfully roll through the electron cascade and "pump" marbles representing hydrogen up into the intermembrane space.
ATP Synthase
ATP Synthase
By using a steel ball bearing under the rotating ATP synthase, the marbles were able to roll and turn the stem easily. This successfully concluded a cycle of the electron transport chain, and the hydrogen was ready to by pumped back up into the intermembrane space by the electron cascade!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse