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All living cells need food and a terminal electron acceptor for its energy producing chemical reactions. Food gives cells energy and the molecular building blocks to maintain the cellular structure and components. In cells that use require oxygen to survive, oxygen acts as the terminal electron acceptor, in the process producing water and carbon dioxide as waste. In cells that can survive without oxygen, pyruvate becomes the terminal electron receptor, in the process producing ethanol as waste. Deep-sea organisms can also use sulfur instead of oxygen as the terminal electron receptor.

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13y ago

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