Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question(s).
-Which of the following most accurately describes what is happening along the electron transport chain in the accompanying figure?
A) Electrons are transferred to ADP to generate ATP at each step in the process.
B) Each electron carrier alternates between being reduced and being oxidized.
C) ATP is generated at each step of the process.
D) Energy of the electrons increases at each step of the process.
E) Molecules in the chain give up some of their potential energy.

Question

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following question(s). 
-Which of the following most accurately describes what is happening along the electron transport chain in the accompanying figure?
A) Electrons are transferred to ADP to generate ATP at each step in the process. 
B) Each electron carrier alternates between being reduced and being oxidized. 
C) ATP is generated at each step of the process. 
D) Energy of the electrons increases at each step of the process. 
E) Molecules in the chain give up some of their potential energy.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Each electron carrier in the electron transport chain alternates between being reduced (accepting an electron) and being oxidized (losing an electron). This transfer of electrons results in the pumping of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient that ultimately drives the synthesis of ATP. ATP is not generated at each step of the process, but rather at the end of the process when the final electron acceptor, oxygen, is reduced. The energy of the electrons decreases at each step of the process, not increases, as they give up some of their potential energy in order to drive the pumping of protons.

Use the Accompanying Figure to Answer the Following Question(s)