---
title: "Electron transport chain and ATP synthase Template | MolDraw"
url: https://www.moldraw.com/templates/biopath-electron-transport/
description: "Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template: Complexes I–IV in the inner mitochondrial membrane with coenzyme Q and cytochrome c, protons pumped 4/4/2…"
lang: en
publisher: Scidart Academy
generated: 2026-10-28
---
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# Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template

![Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template: Complexes I–IV in the inner mitochondrial membrane with coenzyme Q and cytochrome c, protons pumped 4/4/2 per NADH, O₂ reduced to water and ATP synthase (F₀F₁) driven by the returning protons; ubiquinone/ubiquinol structures.](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/download/biopath-electron-transport.svg)

[Edit in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/)[Download SVG](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/download/biopath-electron-transport.svg)

Free template. Download it, or open it in MolDraw to change it first.

Complexes I–IV in the inner mitochondrial membrane with coenzyme Q and cytochrome c, protons pumped 4/4/2 per NADH, O₂ reduced to water and ATP synthase (F₀F₁) driven by the returning protons; ubiquinone/ubiquinol structures.

## What the template shows

- Electrons from NADH and FADH₂ flow to O₂; the proton gradient they build drives ATP synthesis (chemiosmosis)
- Inner mitochondrial membrane
- Protons pumped per NADH (2 e⁻): 4 by complex I, 4 by complex III, 2 by complex IV
- Intermembrane space · high [H⁺], + side
- inner mitochondrial membrane
- NADH–Q oxidoreductase
- succinate dehydrogenase
- Q–cyt c oxidoreductase
- cytochrome c oxidase
- ATP synthase
- ADP + Pᵢ → ATP
- NADH → NAD⁺ + H⁺
- succinate → fumarate
- FAD → FADH₂ in II
- ≈ 3 H⁺ per ATP
- Matrix · low [H⁺], − side
- Coenzyme Q carries two electrons and two protons
- R = isoprenoid tail (10 isoprene units in humans, CoQ₁₀): it keeps Q in the membrane
- Per NADH 10 H⁺ are pumped (≈ 2.5 ATP); per FADH₂ from succinate, entering at complex II (no pumping), 6 H⁺ (≈ 1.5 ATP).
- Q (in the membrane) and cytochrome c (on the outer face of the inner membrane) are the mobile carriers.
- Complex IV: O₂ + 4 e⁻ + 4 H⁺ (matrix) → 2 H₂O; cyanide, CO and azide block it, and rotenone blocks complex I.
- Mitchell’s chemiosmosis: H⁺ flowing back through F₀ turns the c ring and F₁ makes ATP (binding change); ≈ 3 H⁺ per ATP plus 1 H⁺ to import Pᵢ.

Drawn with 28 atoms, 1 arrow, 53 shapes – every one editable in MolDraw.

## Sources

- [Nelson & Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 8th ed., 2021](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781319228002) Textbook
- [Berg, Tymoczko, Gatto & Stryer, Biochemistry, 9th ed., 2019](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781319114657) Textbook
- [Voet & Voet, Biochemistry, 4th ed., Wiley 2011](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780470570951) Textbook
- [Mitchell, Nature 1961, 191, 144](https://doi.org/10.1038/191144a0) Original paper

## How to use this template

1. Press **Edit in MolDraw**. The template opens on the canvas of the free MolDraw editor.
2. Change anything: move structures, edit atoms and labels, recolour highlights or delete what you do not need.
3. Add your own structures, arrows and text next to it, or combine several templates on one page.
4. Export the drawing as PNG, SVG or PDF for slides, worksheets, theses and papers.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template free?

Yes. The Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template is one of the free MolDraw templates: open it in the editor or download it from this page as SVG or PNG and use it in your slides, worksheets and notes.

### Can I edit the Electron transport chain and ATP synthase template?

Yes. It opens as an ordinary MolDraw drawing, so every structure, arrow, label and colour can be changed, and you can add your own content around it.

### Is the chemistry checked?

Every structure is checked with RDKit and every curly arrow passes MolDraw’s electron-flow audit. The sources used are listed on this page.

### Are the biochemical pathways drawn with structures?

Yes. Pathway templates show the intermediates as structures, with enzymes and cofactors (NAD⁺, FAD, ATP) on the arrows.

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