Final answer:
The oxidation of NADH by the ETC can indeed provide enough energy for ATP synthase to produce 2.5-3 ATP molecules, this statement is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the oxidation of NADH by the ETC can provide ATP synthase with enough energy to produce 2.5-3 molecules of ATP is True. The electron transport chain (ETC) harnesses the energy released from the oxidation of NADH to produce a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This gradient drives the synthesis of ATP via ATP synthase.
It is generally accepted that about three ATP molecules are produced for each NADH molecule oxidized by the ETC. In contrast, the oxidation of FADH2 results in the production of about two ATP molecules, as it enters the ETC at a later stage, thus contributing less to the proton gradient.