Final answer:
Oxidative phosphorylation is the process where electrons pass down the electron transport chain, creating a proton gradient used by ATP synthase to produce ATP from ADP and a phosphate group.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that results in the production of ATP from ADP and a phosphate group as electrons pass down the electron transport chain is called oxidative phosphorylation. This is a vital part of cellular respiration that takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells or the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells. During this process, NADH and FADH2, which are produced in earlier stages of respiration, donate electrons to the electron transport chain. This transfer of electrons helps to pump protons across the mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. As protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, their movement drives the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.
The process of chemiosmosis is integral to oxidative phosphorylation, as the energy from the proton gradient is harnessed to synthesize ATP, the cell's energy currency. Overall, oxidative phosphorylation is responsible for generating the majority of ATP during glucose catabolism and is also important in the light reactions of photosynthesis.