Which of the following is a product of the electron transport chain?

• A. Carbon Dioxide
• B. NADH
• C. ATP
• D. Glucose

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the electron transport chain (ETC) in cellular respiration. The ETC is the final stage of aerobic respiration, occurring in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it facilitates the production of ATP.
2. Recognize that the primary function of the ETC is to transfer electrons from electron donors like NADH and FADH2 to oxygen, which is the final electron acceptor, through a series of protein complexes.
3. As electrons move through these complexes, protons (H⁺ ions) are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient across the membrane.
4. This proton gradient generates a chemiosmotic potential, also known as the proton motive force, which drives protons back into the matrix through ATP synthase, a process that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.
5. Identify that ATP is the main product of the electron transport chain, as it is the energy currency produced through oxidative phosphorylation, while carbon dioxide and glucose are not products of this process.