Question

What is the relationship between the electron transport chain and oxygen?

Answer 1

Electron transport chain:

1. It is a succession of protein complexes and other molecules in which electrons are transferred from donors of electrons to acceptors of electrons.
2. In both cellular respiration and photosynthesis, it occurs in mitochondria.
3. In the electron transport chain, oxygen serves as a terminal electron acceptor.
4. It initiates the hydrogen removal process and receives hydrogen to create water.
5. The electron transport chain is made up of four protein complexes that link redox processes that lead to ATP production.
6. Electrons are donated by NADH molecules and transferred through several different proteins, creating a proton gradient in the intermembrane space.
7. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transfer chain to form H₂O.
8. This is important because without it the electron transport chain cannot function and oxidative phosphorylation of the inner mitochondrial membrane is not possible.