Question

Part A - The role of O2 in electron transport In mitochondrial electron transport, what is the direct role of O2?

Answer 1

Answer: (B) to function as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain.

Explanation:

Oxidative phosphorylation is a process that takes place in cellular respiration. It consists of two component pathways which includes the electron transport chain (etc) and chemiosmosis.

In etc the electrons are passed from one to another molecule, the energy is released by the electrochemical gradient.  

In chemiosmosis, the energy stored in the electrochemical gradient is used to produce energy molecules in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate).  

The oxygen is present at the end of the etc. It's function is to accept the electrons also picks up the protons to form water. If oxygen is absent then no molecule will accept the electrons, the electron transport chain will stop. There will be no chemiosmosis as the ATP will not be produced in the absence of formation of a electron gradient.