How does and electron transport chain result in the gradual release of energy stored in glucose?

Answer 1

Basically NADH and FADH are oxidized to by oxidizing agents in the ETC. Since the electrons are moving from something less electronegative to something more electronegative, free energy in released. This free energy takes H protons and moves it against the inner membrane to the outside. Eventually, the outside will create a concentration gradient, and cause the H protons to pass through a area on the membrane called ATPase. As the H protons move through ATPase, ADP is turned into ATP. This processes doesn't happen all at once, but happens over time from the NADH and FADH glucose creates during glycolosis and the citric cycle. These NADH and FADH are oxidized "slowly", so energy is gradually released to create ATP.

Answer 2

In the electron transport chain, electrons are passed from one protein complex to another, releasing energy along the way. This energy is used to pump protons across a membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. When these protons flow back through ATP synthase, ATP is produced. This process of electron transfer and proton movement allows for the gradual release of energy stored in glucose.