Question

What is the role of ATP synthase in cellular respiration?

Answer 1

As we know that cellular respiration is a set of metabolic processes and reactions which take place in the cells of organisms to convert chemical energy from ${{O}_{2}}$ molecules or nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and later release the waste products. So here we are asked about the role of ATP synthase in cellular respiration.

Complete answer:
First all let us understand about cellular respiration following with ATP synthase and its role:-
Cellular respiration: It is the process through which organisms combine oxygen with nutrient molecules from foodstuff consumed and convert the chemical energy in these substances into life sustaining activities, followed by discarding of waste products, carbon dioxide and water.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) synthase: It is an enzyme that directly generates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during the process of cellular respiration. The adenosine triphosphate is the main energy molecule used in cells. This enzyme forms adenosine triphosphate from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate by oxidative phosphorylation.
Role of ATP:-
The role of ATP synthase in cellular respiration is to produce ATP. Adenosine triphosphate is necessary for the power of all cellular processes as it is constantly being used by cells and hence needs to be produced continuously. Each ATP synthase can yield upto 100 molecules of adenosine triphosphate every second. Since plants also have chloroplasts which contain ATP synthase, hence they can also produce ATP from sunlight and carbon dioxide.

Note:
-Remember that oxidative phosphorylation is a process in which ATP synthase oxidizes nutrients to form ATP. This enzyme is found in all life forms; therefore it powers all cellular activities.
-In all life forms, it generally has the same structure and plays the same role everywhere.