Why do Animal cells need oxygen?

Answer 1

Ultimately to be the final electron acceptor of the electron transport chain. By it's great electrovegativity oxygen pulls electrons down the chain and electrons pump hydrogen ions into the outer lumen of the mitochondria. Then these hydrogen ions come down their concentration gradient through the ATP synthase and synthesize ATP. Oxygen picks the hydrogen ions up with electrons and forms water. So, oxygen is essential to oxidative phosphorilation and human respiration.

Answer 2

The carbohydrates we eat turn into sugar. Your body stores this sugar in your liver until your body is ready to use it. Your pancreas releases insulin to tell your liver, "Release sugar." Then the sugar is carried to a cell. The cell places it in some mitochondria. It gets Oxygen from a red corpuscle. It takes the oxygen to the mitochondria. There it combines the Oxygen and the sugar and materials from the cell to create ATP or Adenosine triphosphate. ATP provides the power to run the cell. It acts like the gasoline in your car. Without gas your car won't go. If your body stops producing ATP, your cells don't go. You can use up all the carbohydrate stored in your liver and most of the fat stored in your body making ATP. Nothing can substitute for Oxygen.

Answer 3

For cell respiration. The oxygen is needed for the electrons from glucose to be accepted by the last electron carrier in the electron transport chain in the mitochondria in order to make ATP (energy). (this is basic it is MUCH more complicated.

Answer 4

Animal cells need oxygen to carry out the process of cellular respiration, which provides energy for the cell to function. Oxygen is used during the final step of the process to help produce ATP, the main energy currency of the cell. Without oxygen, animal cells would not be able to efficiently generate energy, resulting in cellular dysfunction and ultimately cell death.

Answer 5

They need it for cellular resparation.