When the electron moves back to lower energy levels in an electron transport chain, energy is a) stored or b) released c)converted to matter d)used to make O2
I'm not sure how to answer this cause isn't it stored as potential energy of H20 and just before the electron moves back the energy is released. So when it moves back would it be considered stored?
No, if an electron goes to a lower energy level, energy is released.
C
) Converted to matter is not the correct answer. When an electron moves back to lower energy levels in an electron transport chain, the energy is released. Therefore, the correct answer is b) released.
In an electron transport chain, when an electron moves back to lower energy levels, the energy is actually released. This process is associated with the transfer of energy during cellular respiration, specifically in the mitochondria.
To better understand this, let's break down the electron transport chain process:
1. During cellular respiration, high-energy electrons are produced in the form of NADH and FADH2 molecules.
2. These high-energy electrons are then passed through a series of protein complexes in the electron transport chain.
3. As the electrons move through these protein complexes, they lose energy.
4. This energy is used to pump protons (H+ ions) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient.
5. Ultimately, the electrons reach the final electron acceptor, which is typically oxygen (O2).
6. When oxygen accepts the electrons, it combines with protons to form water (H2O). This is one of the final steps of cellular respiration.
7. During the final step of the electron transport chain, the energy that has been released is used to synthesize adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules, which serve as the main energy currency of cells.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question is b) released. When the electron moves back to lower energy levels in the electron transport chain, the energy it possessed is released.
It is important to note that while energy is released, it is not stored as potential energy of water (H2O). Rather, the energy is used to facilitate ATP synthesis and power various cellular processes.