Co-Authored By:
Herein, what is the electron transport chain and what are its functions?
The electron transport chain is a cluster ofproteins that transfer electrons through a membrane withinmitochondria to form a gradient of protons that drives the creationof adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is used by the cell as theenergy for metabolic processes for cellularfunctions.
Accordingly, what is the role of oxygen in the electron transport chain?
As it turns out, the reason you need oxygen is soyour cells can use this molecule during oxidative phosphorylation,the final stage of cellular respiration. Oxygen sits at theend of the electron transport chain, where it acceptselectrons and picks up protons to form water.
The electron transport chain consists of a seriesof redox reactions in which electrons are transferred from adonor molecule to an acceptor molecule. The underlying forcedriving these reactions is the free energy (energy available to dowork) of the reactants and products.