The Krebs cycle produces electron carrier molecules. Where do these carrier molecules deliver the electrons produced in the Krebs cycle?
a
glycolysis
b
the electron transport chain
c
alcohol fermentation
d
lactic acid fermentation
b the electron transport chain
The correct answer is b. The electron carrier molecules produced in the Krebs cycle deliver the electrons to the electron transport chain.
The correct answer is b) the electron transport chain.
To understand this concept, it's important to have a basic understanding of cellular respiration. The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is a series of chemical reactions that occur in the mitochondria of cells. It is a crucial part of aerobic respiration, which is the process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into usable energy.
During the Krebs cycle, several chemical reactions occur, resulting in the production of energy-rich molecules such as NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide). These molecules are considered electron carriers because they have the ability to accept and transport electrons.
The electron carriers, NADH and FADH2, generated in the Krebs cycle carry the electrons to the next stage of cellular respiration known as the electron transport chain (ETC). This process takes place on the inner membrane of the mitochondria.
In the electron transport chain, the electrons from NADH and FADH2 are passed along a series of protein complexes and other molecules. As the electrons move through the electron transport chain, energy is gradually released and used to pump protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. This proton gradient is then used to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the main energy currency of cells.
So, in summary, the electron carrier molecules produced in the Krebs cycle deliver the electrons to the electron transport chain, where they are used to generate ATP and complete the process of cellular respiration.