electron transport
noun
: the sequential transfer of electrons especially by cytochromes in cellular respiration from an oxidizable substrate to molecular oxygen by a series of oxidation-reduction reactions
Examples of electron transport in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Without it, the electron transport chain stalls, ATP production collapses and cells are forced into anaerobic glycolysis.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026
And oxygen is required to run the molecular conveyor belt (the electron transport chain, or ETC) that moves electrons, so the more oxygen being consumed, the more efficiently this runs.
—New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2025
For example, this can be seen in the novel bacteria’s cytochrome, a type of protein involved in electron transport.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 5 May 2025
Research has shown that anthocyanins work to divert and store excess light and UV radiation from excited electron transport chains.
—Christian Thorsberg, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021
Cyanide attacks the very cells that make life possible, specifically the mitochondria and its electron transport chain.
—Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2020
When heat is applied, electrons in the semiconductor are thermally excited and rise from a low-energy state to a high-energy state, and are injected into the electron transport layer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 July 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026
And oxygen is required to run the molecular conveyor belt (the electron transport chain, or ETC) that moves electrons, so the more oxygen being consumed, the more efficiently this runs.
—New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2025
For example, this can be seen in the novel bacteria’s cytochrome, a type of protein involved in electron transport.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 5 May 2025
Research has shown that anthocyanins work to divert and store excess light and UV radiation from excited electron transport chains.
—Christian Thorsberg, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021
Cyanide attacks the very cells that make life possible, specifically the mitochondria and its electron transport chain.
—Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2020
When heat is applied, electrons in the semiconductor are thermally excited and rise from a low-energy state to a high-energy state, and are injected into the electron transport layer.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Electron transport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron%20transport. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
