Final answer:
The best statement describing the Electron Transport Chain in animal cells is A: NADH and FADH2 are oxidized, hydrogen ions move into the intermembrane space, ATP is generated, reflecting the movement of electrons through the chain and the creation of a proton gradient to synthesize ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes the overall steps of the Electron Transport Chain in animal cells is: NADH and FADH2 are oxidized, hydrogen ions move into the intermembrane space, ATP is generated.
This process involves high-energy electrons that are released from NADH and FADH2, which move along the electron transport chains situated in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. As these electrons are passed along the chain, energy is released, which is then used to pump hydrogen ions across the inner membrane from the matrix into the intermembrane space. This creates a proton gradient which drives the synthesis of ATP as the protons flow back through ATP synthase into the matrix. Finally, oxygen is reduced to form water.