Question

If flavoprotein performs the alternate pathway of transferring an electron directly to oxygen rather than to the next component of the etc, what toxic molecules are produced? what other effects of bypassing the etc have on the cell?

Answer 1

If flavoprotein performs the alternate pathway of transferring an electron directly to oxygen rather than to the next component of the ETC, TWO toxic molecules are produced. These cellular toxic molecules are HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H2O2) AND SUPEROXIDE RADICALS (O2-). These toxins are reactive oxygen species (ROS) that produce free radicals.

This alternate pathway also results in damaging of the cells and early aging of the cells. There are enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase that catalyse the reaction for the degradation of these toxins.