The reduced coenzymes generated by the citric acid cycle donate electrons in a series of reactions called the electron transport chain. The energy from the electron transport chain is used for oxidative phosphorylation. a) Which compounds donate electrons to the electron transport chain?
b) Which of the following is the final electron acceptor?
c) Which of the following are the final products of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation?
1. H20
2. NADH
3. NAD+
4. ATP
5. ADP
6. O2
7. FADH2
8. FAD

a. NADH and FADH₂ donate electrons to the electron transport chain

b. Molecular oxygen, O₂, is the final electron acceptor

c. The final products of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation are as follows: NAD+, FAD+, H₂O, and ATP

Explanation:

The citric cycle oxidize acetylCoA molecules to carbon dioxide and in the process produce the reduced coenzyme NADH and FADH₂. These reduced coenzymes then are able to donate their electrons to various complexes in the electron transport chain. The flow of these electrons through the electron transport chain is coupled to proton pumping out of the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. Ultimately, the energy of the proton motive force is used to drive synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phospahte and the electrons are accepted by molecular oxygen to produce water. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation.

Therefore, the answers to the given questions a, b and c are as follows:

a. NADH and FADH₂ donate electrons to the electron transport chain

b. Molecular oxygen, O₂, is the final electron acceptor

c. The final products of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation are as follows: NAD+, FAD+, H₂O, and ATP