Electron acceptor

Electron acceptor is a chemical entity that accepts electrons transferred to it from another compound. It is an oxidizing agent that, by virtue of its accepting electrons, is itself reduced in the process. Electron acceptors are sometimes mistakenly called electron receptors.

Overview

Electron acceptors are a part of many biological and chemical processes. The electron acceptor is the key component in photosynthesis and cellular respiration, both fundamental processes in the fields of biology and biochemistry.

Role in Photosynthesis

In photosynthesis, the electron acceptor is a molecule of carbon dioxide. This molecule accepts electrons from the chlorophyll in plants, which have been excited by light energy. The carbon dioxide is then reduced to form glucose, which is used by the plant for energy.

Role in Cellular Respiration

In cellular respiration, the electron acceptor is a molecule of oxygen. This molecule accepts electrons from the electron transport chain in the mitochondria of cells. The oxygen is then reduced to form water, which is expelled from the body.

Other Roles

Electron acceptors are also important in many other biological and chemical processes. For example, they play a key role in the process of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, which are fundamental to many chemical reactions in the body.

See Also

• Electron donor
• Redox reaction
• Oxidizing agent
• Reducing agent

References

Electron acceptor Resources
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