Question

BIOCHEMISTRY

Q1: the flow of electrons from glucose to oxygen and makes the analogy to a simple electrochemical cell. To the best of your knowledge, how is this flow of electrons different than an electrochemical cell? Describe this difference and identify a couple of the intermediate electron carriers.

Answer 1

Here, glucose undergoes oxidation.

Oxidation half-reaction at the anode: C₆H₁₂O₆(s) +18H₂O(l) ----> 6CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(l) + 36H⁺(aq) + 36e^-

And oxygen undergoes reduction.

Reduction half-reaction at the cathode: O₂(g) + 4H⁺(aq) + 4e^- ----> 2H₂O(l)