The Final Step (Aerobic & Anaerobic)

The final step in aerobic respiration, during which ______ accepts the extrons is catalyzed by cytochrome doxidase

oxygen

This large enzyme complex is specifically adapted to receive electrons from cytocrome, pick up hydrogens, and react with ______ to form a molecule of ________

oxygen

water

A potential side reaction of the respiratory chain in aerobic organisms is the incomplete reduction of oxygen to ______ ______ (O₂^-) and ______ _______ (H₂O₂)

superoxide ion

hydrogen peroxide

Why can anaerobic bacteria be hurt by oxygen

They lack the enzyme (superoxide disutase or catalase) needed to neutralize and detoxify

The terminal step in anaerobic respiration utilizes _____ _____, rather than free oxygen as the final electron acceptor in electron transport

inorganic compounds

Best known inorganic compounds in Anaerobic Respiration

Nitrate and Nitrite

It has been found that nitrate reducing bacteria in the mouth and gut contribute to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases due to the overproduction of _______

Nitrate

The overproduction of nitrate and nitrite, and other forms of nitrogen oxide do what to us?

damage blood vessels