Final answer:
The electron transport chain stage of aerobic respiration produces the most ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stage of aerobic respiration that produces the most ATP is the electron transport chain. During this stage, energy from NADH and FADH2 is used to create a chemiosmotic gradient. This gradient is then used to generate ATP through a process called chemiosmosis.
During the electron transport chain, NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons to a series of protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. As electrons pass through these complexes, protons are pumped out of the mitochondrial matrix and into the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient across the membrane. The protons then flow back into the matrix through ATP synthase, which generates ATP. This process produces the majority of ATP during aerobic respiration.
Example: Let's say the electron transport chain produces 26 ATP molecules. This would mean that, in total, aerobic respiration produces 30 ATP molecules (2 from glycolysis + 2 from the Krebs cycle + 26 from the electron transport chain).