What is a primary function of oxygen in the body?

What is a primary function of oxygen in the body?

• A. To provide nutrients
• B. To facilitate digestion
• C. To sustain metabolic processes
• D. To regulate body temperature

Answer: (C)

Oxygen plays a crucial role in sustaining metabolic processes within the body. It is essential for cellular respiration, which is the biochemical pathway that cells use to convert glucose and other nutrients into energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This energy is vital for various functions such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and the synthesis of biological molecules. Glucose must be broken down through a series of metabolic reactions, and oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain—a key step in aerobic respiration. Without sufficient oxygen, cells cannot efficiently produce ATP, which can lead to a range of physiological issues, including fatigue and diminished organ function. Other options are related to bodily functions but do not have the direct relation to metabolic processes as oxygen does. For instance, while the body does obtain nutrients and regulates temperature, these processes do not fundamentally depend on oxygen in the same way that energy production does.

Oxygen plays a crucial role in sustaining metabolic processes within the body. It is essential for cellular respiration, which is the biochemical pathway that cells use to convert glucose and other nutrients into energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This energy is vital for various functions such as muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and the synthesis of biological molecules.

Glucose must be broken down through a series of metabolic reactions, and oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain—a key step in aerobic respiration. Without sufficient oxygen, cells cannot efficiently produce ATP, which can lead to a range of physiological issues, including fatigue and diminished organ function.

Other options are related to bodily functions but do not have the direct relation to metabolic processes as oxygen does. For instance, while the body does obtain nutrients and regulates temperature, these processes do not fundamentally depend on oxygen in the same way that energy production does.