Question

How is oxygen used in cell metabolism?
It is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport system.
It forms CO2 during decarboxylation .
It converts some amino acids to alpha ketogluterate .
It is used to make acetyl CoA
It is required for glycolysis .

Answers

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Oxygen is used in cell metabolism in several key ways:

1. Final electron acceptor: During aerobic respiration, oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport system (ETS). As electrons pass through the ETS, energy is released and used to generate ATP. Oxygen accepts these electrons at the end of the chain, allowing for the production of water.

2. CO2 formation: In the process of decarboxylation, oxygen combines with carbon atoms to form carbon dioxide (CO2) during various metabolic reactions. This occurs in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) and other decarboxylation reactions, where carbon molecules are removed from organic compounds and combined with oxygen to produce CO2.

3. Conversion of amino acids: Some amino acids can be converted to alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate molecule in the citric acid cycle. This conversion requires oxygen, as it is involved in the enzymatic reactions that transform these amino acids into alpha-ketoglutarate.

4. Acetyl CoA production: Oxygen is essential for the formation of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) during aerobic metabolism. Acetyl CoA is a key molecule that enters the citric acid cycle to generate energy. Oxygen enables the conversion of pyruvate, a product of glycolysis, into acetyl CoA through a process called pyruvate decarboxylation.

5. Glycolysis: While oxygen is not directly involved in the initial stages of glycolysis, it is indirectly required for this process. Glycolysis is an anaerobic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP. However, oxygen is necessary for the subsequent steps, as it enables the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle for further energy production. Without oxygen, cells rely solely on glycolysis for energy production, leading to inefficient ATP generation.

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