Final answer:
The electron transport system produces the greatest amount of potential energy through the process of oxidative phosphorylation, which is part of cellular respiration, generating a high yield of ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The series of chemical reactions capable of producing the greatest quantity of potential energy is the electron transport system (ETS). This takes place during the process of cellular respiration and involves the movement of electrons through a series of chemical reactions, ultimately resulting in the production of water and a large amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. Glycolysis, which includes both aerobic and anaerobic pathways, produces pyruvate that enters the citric acid cycle. Here, important electron carriers such as NADH and FADH2 are produced. These carriers donate their electrons to the ETS, which is embedded in the mitochondria's inner membrane for eukaryotes. The transfer of electrons generates an electrochemical gradient that drives the synthesis of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation in a process known as chemiosmosis, producing significantly more ATP than glycolysis alone.