How does oxidative phosphorylation function in cellular respiration?

Oxidative phosphorylation produces ATP in cellular respiration by using energy from electron transport chain.

Oxidative phosphorylation is the final stage of cellular respiration that occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It produces ATP by using energy from the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes that transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen. As electrons move through the chain, protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient.

The proton gradient drives the ATP synthase enzyme, which uses the energy from the gradient to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate into ATP. This process is called chemiosmosis. The ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation is the primary source of energy for cellular processes.

Oxidative phosphorylation is highly efficient, producing up to 34 ATP molecules per glucose molecule. However, it requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor. Without oxygen, the electron transport chain cannot function, and ATP production is severely reduced. This is why anaerobic respiration produces far less ATP than aerobic respiration.

In summary, oxidative phosphorylation is a crucial process in cellular respiration that produces ATP by using energy from the electron transport chain. It is highly efficient and requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor.