In prokaryotes, where is the respiratory electron transport chain located?

1 Answer
Aug 27, 2016

In the cellular membrane.

Explanation:

In eukaryotes the electron transport chain (ETC) is situated in the mitochondiral membrane. Prokaryotes do not have organelles such as mitochondria, but they do have an ETC.

A membrane is required for the ETC to work, otherwise it would not be possible to build a gradient of hydrogen atoms. The only membrane in prokaryotes is the cellular membrane, that is where the ETC is located.

http://spot.pcc.edu/~jvolpe/b/bi234/lec/3_metabolism/metabolism_3t_alt.htm

On the top left corner the location of the ETC in prokaryotes, on the top right corner the situation in eukaryotes