Ko te hōpūtanga otaota he mea waihanga i te mekameka waka irahiko, arā, e whā ngā matatini pūmuana e whakawhiti irahiko mai i tētahi matatini ki tētahi atu, nā reira ka tuku i te pūngao mai i NADH me te FADH2, e hono ana ki te pāmu o ngā proton (hauwai ions) puta noa i te mīhini kaiota