The complete breakdown of glucose using oxygen as the final electron acceptor, producing approximately 36-38 ATP molecules per glucose through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. This is the most efficient form of cellular energy production.
From Greek 'aer' meaning air (oxygen) and Latin 'respirare' meaning to breathe. The term was coined in the 19th century when scientists distinguished between processes that required air and those that didn't, though the molecular details weren't understood until the 20th century.
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