Impact of Low Oxygen on ATP Production
In cellular respiration, glucose undergoes a series of reactions to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. The key process in the conversion of glucose to ATP is oxidative phosphorylation, which occurs in the electron transport chain located on the inner mitochondrial membrane. During this process, electron carriers such as NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons to the chain, ultimately leading to the production of ATP. However, the efficiency of ATP production can vary under different conditions.
Consider a scenario where a cell is exposed to a low oxygen environment. Under these conditions, the electron transport chain is unable to function properly due to a lack of oxygen as the final electron acceptor. Instead, the cell may rely on anaerobic processes to generate ATP.
Based on this information, which of the following statements accurately reflects the impact of low oxygen levels on ATP production in cellular respiration?