oxygen as the final electron acceptor

what role does oxygen play in the Electron Transport Chain?

it is the terminal electron acceptor, meaning it is the final acceptor of electrons in the ETC

when oxygen splits, how many protons & electrons does it accept?

4 electrons & protons.

it becomes 2 molecules of water in the matrix of the mitochondrion. this allows the continuation of other processes of cell respiration.

what happens when oxygen isn’t present to accept the electrons?

when oxygen isn’t present to accept the electrons, the electrons cannot join ETC. this means that NAD & FAD cannot be regenerated by oxidation, which means no supply of NAD & FAD to continue link reaction & the Krebs Cycle

what else is oxygen needed for?

it’s needed to bind with the free protons from the matrix of the mitochondrion to maintain H+ gradient. This results in continued flow of electrons along the chain & the formation of metabolic water