In mitochondrial electron transport, what is the direct role of O2?

Oxygen serves as the terminal electron acceptor in ETS, taking in electrons before combining with protons to form water.

The direct role of O2 in mitochondrial electron transport is to serve as the final electron acceptor, ultimately forming water in the process. This occurs in the electron transport chain's complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase), where O2 accepts electrons from cytochrome c, facilitating the transfer of electrons through the chain and driving the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

The direct role of oxygen (O2) in mitochondrial electron transport is to serve as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain (ETC). This occurs during oxidative phosphorylation, the process by which ATP is synthesized in mitochondria. Oxygen captures the electrons passed down the electron transport chain and combines with protons (H+) to form water (H2O). This process is essential for maintaining the flow of electrons along the chain and generating the proton gradient necessary for ATP synthesis.