Final answer:
A decrease in ATP production can occur due to anaerobic conditions, inefficient NADH transport, cold temperatures causing ATP degradation, and impeded breakdown of pyruvate. The electron transport chain slowing down due to low ADP levels can further reduce ATP synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several factors can lead to a significant decrease in the number of ATP molecules produced through cellular respiration. If oxygen is lacking, the process shifts from aerobic to anaerobic respiration, which yields much less ATP. For instance, anaerobic glycolysis results in lactate production and does not generate the additional ATP that would be produced through the electron transport chain. Moreover, the transport of NADH from the cytosol to the mitochondria is an active process which can also reduce the overall ATP yield.
Colder temperatures may cause ATP degradation, thus reducing available ATP. When ATP usage decreases, ADP concentrations fall, causing the electron transport chain to slow down and ATP synthesis to diminish. Additionally, if the breakdown of pyruvate is hindered, cells like mature mammalian red blood cells that rely solely on glycolysis would only harvest two ATP molecules from one molecule of glucose, leading to cell death if glycolysis is disrupted.