<P> In aerobic organisms undergoing respiration , electrons are shuttled to an electron transport chain , and the final electron acceptor is oxygen . Molecular oxygen is a highly oxidizing agent and , therefore , is an excellent electron acceptor . In anaerobes , other less - oxidizing substances such as sulfate ( SO ) , nitrate ( NO ) , sulphur ( S ) , or fumarate are used . These terminal electron acceptors have smaller reduction potentials than O , meaning that less energy is released per oxidized molecule . Therefore , generally speaking , anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic . </P>
<P> In aerobic organisms undergoing respiration , electrons are shuttled to an electron transport chain , and the final electron acceptor is oxygen . Molecular oxygen is a highly oxidizing agent and , therefore , is an excellent electron acceptor . In anaerobes , other less - oxidizing substances such as sulfate ( SO ) , nitrate ( NO ) , sulphur ( S ) , or fumarate are used . These terminal electron acceptors have smaller reduction potentials than O , meaning that less energy is released per oxidized molecule . Therefore , generally speaking , anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic . </P>
aerobes use what as the final electron acceptor
aerobes use what as the final electron acceptor
oxygen
oxygen