The ultimate electron acceptor in the respiration process is molecular oxygen. Electron transfer through the respiratory chain takes place through a complex series of oxidation– reduction reactions. Some of the electron transport steps use iron-containing proteins called cytochromes. All cytochromes transport electrons by converting the iron in the cytochromes from the +3 to the +2 oxidation state. Consider the following reduction potentials for three different cytochromes used in the transfer process of electrons to oxygen (the potentials have been corrected for pH and for temperature):

In the electron transfer series, electrons are transferred from one cytochrome to another. Using this information, determine the cytochrome order necessary for spontaneous transport of electrons from one cytochrome to another, which eventually will lead to electron transfer to O₂.

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cytochrome a(Fe³+) + e cytochrome a(Fe²+) cytochrome b(Fe³+) + e →→→→→cytochrome cytochrome c(Fe³+) + e cytochrome c(Fe²+) % = 0.385 V b(Fe²+) -0.030 V % = 0.254 V