Which statement best describes an electron transfer chain?

Which statement best describes an electron transfer chain?

a. It generates energy from carbohydrates.

b. It requires activation by oxygen.

c. It is used by cells to dispose of excess electrons.

d. It utilizes ATP to synthesize nutrients.

e. It transfers energy, stepwise, from one compound to another.

Answer: e. It transfers energy, stepwise, from one compound to another.

Electron transfer chain is a such cellular process that occurs in the mitochondria and chloroplasts of eukaryotic organisms. This is a combination of oxidation and reduction reactions where electrons are relay transferred between species and a small amount of energy is produced at once. This is used to pump protons across a membrane which they form a chemical gradient needed for the formation of ATP, the cell’s energy. The electron transfer chain is a vital factor in both the cellular respiration and photosynthesis since it is responsible for the use of energy from high-energy electron carriers such as NADH and FADH2 through the formation of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation or photophosphorylation. This relay running of energy from one compound to another is crucial in order to have a proper flow of energy required for various cellular processes.