Question

What are the two molecules that act as electron acceptors for use during electron transport processes? How many ATP's can be made from each one?

Answer 1

Electron transport chain is the series of events in which electrons are transferred from electron donors to electron acceptors. It also couples the transfer of protons across the membrane that is used to create a proton gradient which drives ATP synthesis.

The molecules that act as electron acceptors in the electron transport chain are Ubiquinone and Cytochrome.

There are 4 complexes in the electron transport chain.

Ubiquinone acts between complex I and II, whereas Cytochrome is located between Complex III and IV.

Complexes I, II and IV act as proton pumps as they pump the protons across the membrane that creates a proton gradient. These protons again move in through ATP synthase coupling ADP with Phosphate forming ATP. Formation of 1 ATP requires influx of 3 protons.