g How do cytochromes donate and accept electrons? Each cytochrome has an iron‑containing heme group that accepts electrons and then donates the electrons to a more electronegative substance. Cytochromes donate electrons directly to the energy‑carrier molecules NAD + NAD+ and FAD FAD and accept electrons from less electronegative substances. The cytochromes donate electrons excited by photons to other cytochromes that accept electrons as replacements for lost electrons. Every cytochrome's iron‑containing heme group accepts electrons from oxygen and donates the electrons to the next cytochrome in the chain.