electron transport

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the stepwise transfer of electrons from one carrier molecule, as a flavoprotein or a cytochrome, to another along the respiratory chain and ultimately to oxygen during the aerobic production of ATP.

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electron transport British  

noun

1. biochem the metabolic process in mitochondria or chloroplasts, in which electrons are transferred in stages from energy-rich compounds to molecular oxygen with liberation of energy

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electron transport Scientific  

1. The movement of electrons from one electron carrier to another in a series of oxidation-reduction reactions, with each electron transferred to a slightly lower level of energy, so that energy is released. Electron transport is used in the light reactions of photosynthesis and in the final stage of cellular respiration to produce ATP from ADP and phosphate.

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Etymology

Origin of electron transport

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The team found that the D2 branch has a much higher energy barrier, which makes electron transport energetically unfavourable.

From Science Daily • Oct. 13, 2025

Previous research suggests that improving both the flow of ions across the RED membrane and the efficiency of electron transport would likely increase the amount of electricity captured from osmotic energy.

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

"By narrowing the QAH insulator devices, the current pulse resulted in very high current density that switched the magnetization direction, as well as the direction of the electron transport route."

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

In the electron transport chain, the free energy from the series of reactions just described is used to pump hydrogen ions across the membrane.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Energy travels through the electron transport chain, which pumps hydrogen ions into the thylakoid space.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013