Final answer:
The electrons added to NAD+ in aerobic respiration play a crucial role in ATP production. NADH, carrying these high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain, facilitates the synthesis of ATP, the cell's energy currency. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor to ensure the efficiency of the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electrons added to NAD+ in aerobic respiration are used to produce ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. When NAD+ accepts electrons, it becomes NADH. NADH then carries these high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain, which is part of oxidative phosphorylation. Here, the energy from the electrons is used to pump protons across a membrane, creating a proton gradient.
This gradient powers ATP synthase, which synthesizes ATP. ATP is the energy currency of the cell, used for various metabolic processes. During aerobic respiration, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor to form water, allowing the electron transport chain to function efficiently. In contrast, if aerobic respiration does not occur, anaerobic processes such as fermentation may take place to regenerate NAD+ from NADH, allowing glycolysis to continue.