Answer
The membrane reactions of aerobic respiration take place on the inner mitochondrial membranes. Electron carriers transport electrons from NADH and FADH2 to oxygen to produce water. The electron transfers energize proton pumps which create a steep H+ gradient between the mitochondrial membranes. This gradient is the source of the power that generates the chemiosmotic mechanism by which ATP synthase synthesizes ATP.
Work Step by Step
Glycolysis and aerobic respiration generate 38 ATP per glucose molecule.
