Electron Transport Chain, part 1: Eukaryotic Cell + Composition of Mitochondria

Plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells and have several differences and similarities. The electron transport chain (= the respiratory chain or cellular respiration) occurs in the mitochondria. Mitochondria are semiautonomous organelle (contains its own DNA). They have two types of membranes: the outer and inner membrane.The outer mitochondrial membrane contains protein porin that permit free diffusion. The inner membrane is freely permeable only to O2, CO2 and H2O. The inner membrane contains numerous transport proteins that control the passage of most ions, metabolites and low molecular mass compounds. The membranes define two separate areas: the intermembrane space and matrix. The proteins mediating electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation are bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane.