Why do you need oxygen? (What role does O2 play in aerobic respiration?)
◦ It is the final electron acceptor at the end of the electron transport chain.
◦ It combines with H2O to help drive the formation of ATP.
◦ It combines with acetyl-CoA at the start of the citric acid cycle.
◦ It is given off as a by-product during the oxidation of pyruvate.