Question

If the electron transport chains stop working, what can you infer about the levels of oxygen in the mitochondria?

Answer 1

The electron transport chain present in the inner membrane of mitochondria is a series of proteins and organic molecules. Electrons are transferred from one member of the transport chain to another in a series of redox reactions. Energy emitted in these reactions is captured as a proton gradient, which is then used to produce ATP in a process called chemiosmosis.

Oxygen sits at the end of the electron transport chain, oxygen function is to accepts electrons and picks up protons to form water. If oxygen is not available to accept electrons , the electron transport chain will stop running, and ATP not be produced by chemiosmosis.when electron transport chain stops there is decrease in oxygen level and breating slows down.Without adequate ATP, cells are not able to carry out the reactions they need to function, and, after a long enough period of time, may even die.