What does the term "electron carriers" refer to in cellular respiration?

What does the term "electron carriers" refer to in cellular respiration?

• A. Proteins that transport ions
• B. Molecules that transfer electrons during respiration
• C. Enzymes that break down glucose
• D. Organic compounds involved in glycolysis

Answer: (B)

The term "electron carriers" specifically refers to molecules that play a crucial role in cellular respiration by transferring electrons during the various metabolic processes involved in breaking down glucose. These carriers are essential for the movement of electrons from one molecule to another in the electron transport chain, which ultimately leads to the production of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell. In cellular respiration, electron carriers such as NAD+ (which gets reduced to NADH) and FAD (which gets reduced to FADH2) are pivotal. They accept electrons during processes like glycolysis and the Krebs cycle and then transfer these electrons to the electron transport chain. This transfer releases energy, which is utilized to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. While proteins that transport ions and enzymes that break down glucose are critical in cellular respiration, they do not specifically serve the role of transferring electrons. Organic compounds involved in glycolysis are part of the metabolic pathway but also do not encompass the broader function of carrying electrons throughout the respiratory processes. Thus, the designation of "molecules that transfer electrons during respiration" accurately captures the essence of what electron carriers do in the context of cellular energy production.

The term "electron carriers" specifically refers to molecules that play a crucial role in cellular respiration by transferring electrons during the various metabolic processes involved in breaking down glucose. These carriers are essential for the movement of electrons from one molecule to another in the electron transport chain, which ultimately leads to the production of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.

In cellular respiration, electron carriers such as NAD+ (which gets reduced to NADH) and FAD (which gets reduced to FADH2) are pivotal. They accept electrons during processes like glycolysis and the Krebs cycle and then transfer these electrons to the electron transport chain. This transfer releases energy, which is utilized to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

While proteins that transport ions and enzymes that break down glucose are critical in cellular respiration, they do not specifically serve the role of transferring electrons. Organic compounds involved in glycolysis are part of the metabolic pathway but also do not encompass the broader function of carrying electrons throughout the respiratory processes. Thus, the designation of "molecules that transfer electrons during respiration" accurately captures the essence of what electron carriers do in the context of cellular energy production.