Question

Drowning, suffocation, and carbon monoxide poisoning each prevent sufficient oxygen from reaching a person's cells, resulting in death. Using what you know about cellular respiration, explain why this occurs (provide molecular details in your answer). be specific and explain thoroughly

Answer 1

Oxygen is used by aerobic cellular respiration to make ATP for cellular work. Without oxygen the cell must use anaerobic cellular respiration which produces fewer (only 2) ATP per glucose molecule. Aerobic cellular respiration produces more (36) ATP per glucose molecule.

Oxygen is the final electron acceptor at the end of the electron transport chain, acting like a magnet pulling electrons through the electron transport chain. When oxygen accepts electrons it also accepts hydrogen ions to produce water. This is the reason drowning, suffocation, and carbon monoxide poisoning each prevent sufficient oxygen from reaching a person's cells, resulting in death.