QUESTION 1 NASA has sent a series of Mars rovers to that planet since the late 1

Question

QUESTION 1 NASA has sent a series of Mars rovers to that planet since the late 1990s to look for signs of life. Consider the following hypothetical situation: A fungal organism capable of undergoing both fermentation and oxidative phosphorylation hitched a ride from Earth to Mars on one of the rovers. Since the organism is able to use fermentation to regenerate NAD+, it can live and reproduce in conditions of low atmospheric oxygen on Mars, but this process is slow bccause fermentation is not very efficient. Suddenly, a fungal population is found to be growing at a much faster rate bccausc it has evolved to utilizc an alternative acceptor at the end of the clectron transport chain. Which of these elements would be the most likely candidate to act as an alternative electron acceptor in oxidative phosphorylation? (HINT: look at a periodic table.) polonium (Po) rubidium (Rb) silicon (Si) None, only oxygen can be oxidized aluminum (AI)

Explanation / Answer

Polonium is an element belonging to group 16 of periodic table. Its oxidation number is 6, 5, 4, 2 and -2. It belongs to the same group as the oxygen.

Rubidium is an alkali metal belonging to group 1 in periodic table. Its oxidation number is always +1. It always donates its electron and cannot accept electrons.

Aluminium is also a metal which provides electrons in a reaction. Its oxidation number can go upto +3. It will tend to loose 3 electrons to become stable.

So, polonium is the correct answer. As it can have an oxidation number of -2, which makes it possible for it to accept electrons.

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