所謂呼吸鏈偶合氧化磷酸化（coupling oxidative phosphorylation），意指以下那兩個反應伴隨（偶合）發生： ①NADH + 1/2 O₂ + H⁺ → H₂O + NAD⁺ ②Pyruvate + NADH + H ${}^{+}$ → lactate + NAD ${}^{+}$ ③ADP + P ${}_i$ + H ${}^{+}$ → ATP + H ${}_2$ O ④Creatine phosphate + ADP → ATP + creatine