NADH

Definition

NADH, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form), is a crucial coenzyme involved in metabolic processes. It plays a significant role in cellular respiration by acting as an electron carrier, transferring electrons from one reaction to another, particularly during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. This energy-rich molecule is essential for generating ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell, during the electron transport chain.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NADH is produced during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle when glucose and other substrates are oxidized.
2. In the electron transport chain, NADH donates electrons to protein complexes, leading to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
3. Each NADH molecule generated can result in the production of approximately 2.5 molecules of ATP when fully oxidized in the mitochondria.
4. NADH also plays a role in other metabolic pathways such as fermentation, where it helps regenerate NAD+ in anaerobic conditions.
5. The balance between NAD+ and NADH is crucial for maintaining metabolic homeostasis within cells, influencing cellular respiration and various biosynthetic reactions.

Review Questions

• How does NADH function within cellular respiration, and what role does it play in the transfer of energy?
  • NADH functions as a key electron carrier during cellular respiration by capturing high-energy electrons released from glucose and other substrates. It is produced during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, where it collects electrons and protons. Once formed, NADH travels to the electron transport chain, where it donates these electrons to help drive ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. This process is critical for converting stored chemical energy into usable energy for cellular activities.
• Discuss the differences between NADH and FADH2 regarding their roles in cellular respiration.
  • NADH and FADH2 are both important electron carriers but differ in their production and energy yield. NADH is generated primarily in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle and donates its electrons at complex I of the electron transport chain, leading to higher ATP yield (approximately 2.5 ATP). In contrast, FADH2 is produced only in the Krebs cycle and donates its electrons at complex II, resulting in a lower ATP yield (approximately 1.5 ATP). This difference highlights their distinct roles in energy metabolism.
• Evaluate the significance of maintaining a proper balance between NAD+ and NADH in metabolic processes.
  • Maintaining a proper balance between NAD+ and NADH is vital for efficient cellular metabolism. An excess of NADH can inhibit key metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, because it reduces the availability of NAD+, which is necessary for these processes to function correctly. Conversely, an inadequate supply of NADH limits ATP production since fewer electrons would be available for the electron transport chain. This balance not only impacts energy production but also affects biosynthetic pathways and overall cell health, demonstrating its crucial role in metabolic regulation.

Related terms

NAD+: The oxidized form of NADH that acts as an electron acceptor during metabolic reactions.

ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, the main energy carrier in cells, produced during cellular respiration.

FADH2: A reduced coenzyme similar to NADH that also serves as an electron carrier in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain.