Final answer:
Oxygen's role in aerobic respiration is to act as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. It combines with low-energy electrons and hydrogen ions to form water, driving the ATP synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxygen's role in aerobic respiration is to act as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. As high-energy electrons are passed through the chain, they gradually lose energy. At the end of the chain, oxygen combines with low-energy electrons and hydrogen ions to form water. This process drives the ATP-producing reactions and allows the synthesis of ATP.