Oxidative phosphorylation consists of two tightly linked processes - electron tr

Question

Oxidative phosphorylation consists of two tightly linked processes - electron transport and ATP synthesis. In electron transport, the NADH and FADH_2 produced in the first three stages of cellular respiration are oxidized by O_2 (the oxidative part of this stage). These redox reactions also drive the pumping of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton (H^+) gradient. This H^+ gradient is used to power the chemiosmotic synthesis of ATP from ADP and P_1 (the phosphorylation) part of this stage). As you watch the Oxidative Phosphorylation animation, pay close attention to how electron transport is coupled to the formation of the H^+ gradient and ATP synthesis, Part A - The role of O_2 in electron transport In mitochondrial electron transport, what is the direct role of O_2? to oxidize NADH and FADH_2 from glycolysis, acetyl CoA formation, and the citric acid cycle to provide the driving force for the production of a proton gradient to function as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain to provide the driving force for the synthesis of ATP from ADP and P_i

Explanation / Answer

The anwer to the above question is C,that is,to function as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain

The only place that O2 participates in cellular respiration is at the end of the electron transport chain, as the final electron acceptor. Oxygenis considered electronnegetive so it has high electron affinity which helps a lot. Its contributions to driving electron transport, forming a proton gradient, and synthesizing ATP are all indirect effects of its role as the terminal electron acceptor.

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