Question

What is the function of an electron in the electron transport chain?

A) To dephosphorylate ATP, producing ADP
B) To power active transport pumps
C) To reduce heme and complex III
D) To oxidize oxygen

Answer 1

The function of an electron in the electron transport chain is to power active transport pumps and reduce heme in complex III. The electron transport chain shuttles electrons from NADH and FADH2 to molecular oxygen, pumping protons and creating a proton gradient that is used by ATP synthase to produce ATP.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of an electron in the electron transport chain is to power active transport pumps and reduce heme in complex III. The electron transport chain is a series of electron transporters embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that shuttles electrons from NADH and FADH2 to molecular oxygen. As electrons pass through the electron transport chain, protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space. This creates a proton gradient, which is used by ATP synthase to add phosphate groups to ADP molecules, resulting in the production of ATP.