FAD is an
important acceptor of electrons. FAD is the oxidized form
of the molecule (lacks electrons). FADH2
is the reduced form (carries electrons). FAD and FADH2
function in many oxidation reactions, such as those catalyzed
by succinate dehydrogenase
and fatty acyl-CoA dehydrogenase.
Electrons carried by FADH2 do not pass through complex I of the mitochondrial
electron transport system
and thus do not result in synthesis of as many ATPs
in oxidative phosphorylation
as electrons from NADH, which do
pass through Complex I. It is estimated that each pair of electrons
donated by FADH2
results in two ATPs, whereas each pair of electrons from NADH
results in three ATPs.