ubiquinone

Main Entry: ubi·qui·none
Pronunciation: yü-'bik-w&-"nOn, "yü-bi-kwi-'nOn
Function: noun
: any of a group of lipid-solublequinones that contain a long isoprenoid side chain and that function in the part of cellular respiration comprising oxidative phosphorylation as electron-carrying coenzymes in the transport ofelectrons from organic substrates to oxygen especially along the chain of reactions leading from the Krebs cycle

ubiquinone u·bi·qui·none (y&oomacr;'bĭ-kwĭ-nōn', y&oomacr;-bĭk'wə-nōn')
n.
A quinone compound that serves as an electron carrier between various flavoproteins and in cellular respiration.

ubiquinone   (y'bĭ-kwĭ-nōn')  Pronunciation Key  Any of various fat-soluble quinone compounds found in most aerobic organisms and serving as electron carriers in cellular respiration. Also called coenzyme Q.

ubiquinone

any of several members of a series of organic compounds belonging to a class called quinones. Widely distributed in plants, animals, and microorganisms, ubiquinones function in conjunction with enzymes in cellular respiration (i.e., oxidation-reduction processes). The naturally occurring ubiquinones differ from each other only slightly in chemical structure, depending on the source, the structures resembling those of the fat-soluble vitamin K and certain derivatives of vitamin E.

Learn more about ubiquinone with a free trial on Britannica.com.