Re: In cellular respiration, what atoms lose the electrons that are carried ?

Dear Carol,

The cellular respiration is the process of oxidizing food molecules, 
like glucose, to CO2 and H2O. One of the purpose of this process is 
to release ATP which is used in several ways by the cell. The process 
occurs in two phases:

1) Glycolysis (making of pyruvic acid)
2) Oxydation of pyruvic acid to CO2 and H2O

In the final stage of the cellular respiration process, the electrons 
are coming from reduced NADH (and reduced FADH2) and are 
passed off to the electron transport chain in the inner mitochondrial 
membrane.

For a little animation, have a look at: http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~terry/images/anim/ETS.html

Hope this helps,

Daniel