What is the main product of oxidative phosphorylation?

The main product of oxidative phosphorylation is ATP. This process occurs in the mitochondria and is the primary method by which cells generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell. During oxidative phosphorylation, electrons are transferred through a series of protein complexes in the electron transport chain, which creates a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. As protons flow back into the mitochondrial matrix through ATP synthase, the energy released is used to convert adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate into ATP.

While water is produced as a byproduct when electrons combine with oxygen and protons at the end of the electron transport chain, and NADH and FADH2 are crucial electron carriers that supply electrons to the chain, the primary purpose of oxidative phosphorylation is the synthesis of ATP. Thus, ATP is considered the main and ultimate energy product generated through this process.