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hydrogenated NAD
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Diagram of the respiratory chain in metabolism, showing the flow of electrons from NADH and FADH2 through complexes and cytochromes, ending with the reduction of oxygen to water. Key molecules, sites, and electron transfers are labeled.
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hydrogenated NAD

chemical compound
Also known as: NADH
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Diagram of the respiratory chain in metabolism, showing the flow of electrons from NADH and FADH2 through complexes and cytochromes, ending with the reduction of oxygen to water. Key molecules, sites, and electron transfers are labeled.
electron-transport chain The electron-transport chain embedded in the inner membrane of a mitochondrion is made up of a series of electron donors and electron acceptors. The transport of electrons begins with the acceptance of electrons by NADH dehydrogenase from NADH. The electrons are then passed to ubiquinone (coenzyme Q; site I), which carries them to the b-c2 complex. The electrons are then transferred to cytochrome c (site II), to cytochrome oxidase (site III), and finally to oxygen.

Hydrogenated NAD, also known as NADH, is the reduced form of NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). It plays a crucial role in metabolism, particularly in the process of cellular respiration.1

In the breakdown of food materials like sugars, fats, and amino acids, hydrogen atoms (or electrons) are removed. These are then transferred to coenzymes, primarily NAD+, forming NADH. NADH has a high capacity to donate electrons.23

This electron transfer is vital for energy production within the cell. NADH donates its electrons to the electron-transport chain in the mitochondria. This process, known as oxidative phosphorylation, ultimately leads to the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy currency of the cell. Without NADH, the controlled release of energy from nutrients to create ATP would not occur efficiently.23

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. NADH
  2. metabolism - The nature of the respiratory chain
  3. fat and oil processing - Hydrogenation reactions
  4. cell - Formation of the electron donors NADH and FADH 2

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