Question

The electron transport chain uses protons to lure protons into the intermembrane space. What about the electrons makes them useful for this process?"

A) They have a positive charge.
B) They are highly reactive.
C) They can flow through the membrane.
D) They form covalent bonds.

Answer 1

Electrons are useful in the electron transport chain because they are highly reactive, allowing them to be passed along the chain of electron carriers. This transfer releases energy used to generate a proton gradient, crucial for ATP synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question 'What about the electrons makes them useful for the electron transport chain process?' refers to the role of electrons in generating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The correct answer is B) They are highly reactive. As electrons are passed along the chain of electron carriers, each carrier gets reduced upon receiving an electron and gets oxidized when it passes the electron to the next carrier.

This transfer of electrons is facilitated by the high reactivity of electrons, and with each transfer, a small amount of energy is released, which is then used to pump hydrogen ions (H+) across the inner membrane into the intermembrane space. This action creates an electrochemical proton gradient (proton-motive force), which is subsequently used by the ATP synthase enzyme to generate ATP during a process known as chemiosmosis.