explain the roles of the following in aerobic respiration NA

explain the roles of the following in aerobic respiration. NAD+ oxygen

Solution

NAD+ acts as an electron carrier. It carries electrons from glycolysis and Krebs cycle to be oxidized in electron transport chain. NAD+ is essential for glycolysis, in the absence of oxygen, lactate fermentation sets in. The NADH formed is oxidized back to form NAD+ to keep the glycolysis under anaerobic conditions.

Oxygen is the terminal acceptor of electrons during electron transport chain event, oxygen accepts electrons and gets reduced to H2O. In the absence of Oxygen cells start anaerobic mode of respiration called fermentation.