Electron Transport in Cellular Respiration

NAD reduction

NAD+ is an electron carrier. It carries high energy electrons to the Electron Transport Chain in cellular respiration. In the picture oxidation and reduction of this coenzyme is shown very well. The Cab represents the NADH molecule and the customers are electrons. In the first step, Hydrogen atoms with high energy electrons binds to NAD+. This reaction is reduction. NAD+ is reduced in the first step because it gains negatively charged electrons. Then, NADH molecule carries those electrons to last stage of cellular respiration. In the E.T.C. NADH molecule is oxidized to its original form by losing electrons. Also, this reaction produces energy.

Molecular Structure of NAD

Molecular Structure of NAD Molecule

NAD molecule is an oxidative coenzyme. It consists of a pyridine nucleotide, adenine, phosphate groups, ribose sugars and a nicotinamide ring. Actually it is a coenzyme form of niacin.
Sice they are coenzymes, some enzymes require them to work such as Alcohol Dehydrogenase, Pyruvate Dehydrogenase...

Reduction Reaction of NAD+