What is the role of oxygen in cellular respiration?

Oxygen plays an integral role in cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a process that all cells use to produce energy that they need to carry out various functions. 

Oxygen is crucial for the production of energy through oxidative phosphorylation or electron transport chain (ETC), which is a vital component of cellular respiration. Oxygen serves as a final electron acceptor of the ETC in cellular respiration, facilitating the movement of electrons down a chain, resulting in the synthesis of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). Oxygen combines with electrons and hydrogen ions to produce water. The electron transport chain is directly dependent on oxygen.