Oxidative phosphorylation involves electrons carried by NADH and FADH2, shuttles these electrons to the electron transport chain embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane, involves chemiosmosis, and generates ATP through oxidative phosphorylation associated with chemiosmosis.

Oxidative phosphorylation involves electron transport and chemiosmosis and requires an adequate supply of oxygen.

Electrons from NADH and FADH2 travel down the electron transport chain to O2. Energy released by these redox reactions is used to pump H+ from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. In chemiosmosis, the H+ diffuses back across the inner membrane through ATP synthase complexes, driving the synthesis of ATP. Oxygen picks up H+ to form water.

The main function of glycolysis and the citric acid cycle is to supply oxidative phosphorylation with electrons carried by NADH and FADH2.