AP BIOLOGY

CELL RESPIRATION

THE KREBS CYCLE

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
In the electron transport chain, Oxygen acts as ____
A
a carrier of electrons, passing electrons down the chain
B
a reducing agent
C
the final electron acceptor
D
a coenzyme
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The final electron acceptor is oxygen (O2). Oxygen has a high electronegativity; thus, oxygen’s high affinity for electrons makes it an ideal acceptor for low-energy electrons. With the electrons, hydrogen is added to oxygen forming water as the final product.

Detailed explanation-2: -Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in this respiratory cascade, and its reduction to water is used as a vehicle by which to clear the mitochondrial chain of low-energy, spent electrons. The enzyme that catalyzes this process, cytochrome oxidase, spans the mitochondrial membrane.

Detailed explanation-3: -Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transfer chain, resulting in the formation of H2O. This is essential because without it, the electron transfer chain cannot function resulting in a lack of oxidative phosphorylation in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Detailed explanation-4: -Oxygen is the final electron acceptor at the end of the electron transport chain of aerobic respiration. In the absence of oxygen, only a few ATP are produced from glucose. With oxygen, organisms can break down glucose all the way to carbon dioxide.

There is 1 question to complete.