Question

What is the ultimate fate of the electrons that are stripped from glucose during cellular respiration? a) They are donated to NADH. b) They result in the formation of heat. c) They are used to form ATP by chemiosmosis. d) They are used to form water.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is c) They are used to form ATP by chemiosmosis

Explanation:

In cellular respiration, glucose is oxidized into carbon dioxide and water and  converts into NADH a FADH₂ during glycolysis and Kreb cycle. Then these reduced molecules are used to provide the source of electrons during chemiosmosis.

This transfer of electron to electron transport chain brings the conformation change in proteins that helps in transport of H⁺ions across the inner membrane of mitochondria. This transport of ions increase the proton gradient in the membrane.

So to equalize the proton gradient H⁺ moves towards the matrix through ATPase which allows the formation of ATP from ADP. Therefore the right answer is c) They are used to form ATP by chemiosmosis.