-H atom removed from cofactors NADH and FADH and split into e- and H+
-e- passed down the chain; energy from e- utilized to pump protons into intermembrane space
- -creates concentration gradietn of H+ on one side of membrane
- *positives on one side and negatives on the other
-ATP synthase enzymes use energy from diffusion to synthesize ATP as H+ diffuses across membrane
-electrons at the end of chain are picked up by O2 in mitochondrion they are then combined with H+ to form water