A number of alternatives to molecular oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor are known from anaerobic life forms on Earth.

Despite this problem, many use oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor for respiration.

He learned bacteria could use sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor, instead of oxygen.

During respiration, they use oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor.

The driving force behind this process is a redox reaction, in which electrons are passed between several proteins and finally to a terminal electron acceptor.

Thiosulfate (SO) can also be used as a terminal electron acceptor.

These organisms use metals as terminal electron acceptors in the same way that animals use oxygen.

As discussed below, the use of terminal electron acceptors other than oxygen has important biogeochemical consequences.

The terminal electron acceptor in methanogenesis is not oxygen, but carbon.