Aerobic respiration is a process that utilizes the electron transport chain in order to oxidize glucose into energy. If a chemical were added that inhibited the electron transport chain, the cell would no longer be able to fully oxidize glucose. Therefore, oxygen consumption will decrease. Furthermore, since the cell is now in a situation in which it is not able to make as much energy per glucose molecule as before, it will need to increase its consumption of glucose in order to generate enough energy through anaerobic respiration alone.

Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the inner mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen.

Cyanide is a gas that inhibits complex IV of the electron transport chain. Cyanide combines with cytochrome oxidase and prevents the transfer of electrons to oxygen. Antimycin is a fungal antibiotic that inhibits complex III of the electron transport chain. Antimycin prevents the transfer of electrons through the cytochrome b-c complex. Oligomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits ATP synthase. It works by binding to the stalk of ATP synthase. This prevents proton re-entry into the mitochondrial matrix. This results in a halt of the proton motive force that ATP synthase uses to created ATP from one unit of ADP and one unit of inorganic phosphate. Rotenone is a pesticide and fish poison that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase in complex I causing the levels of NADH to increase. This results in a halt of the electron transport chain.

CoQ₁₀ is produced in the liver and oxidizes enzyme complex II. It is subsequently oxidized by enzyme complex III in the ETC. Oxygen is the final acceptor of electrons in the ETC.

Without a terminal electron acceptor, the electrons of  and  would have nowhere to be released, all of the complexes would be "backed up" as each complex would not be able to pass off its electrons to the next complex. ATP production would come to a standstill.

Without oxygen to receive the electrons, the entire flow of the electron transportation chain halts, as well as ATP production. It is the continuous flow of electrons through the ETC complexes that allows a mitochondria to harness the energy of the electrons that  and  donate. This energy is used to pump protons across the intermembrane space of a mitochondria. The re-entry of these protons through ATP synthase is what drives the production of ATP.

In short, no electron flow means no proton pumps and no re-entry of those protons through ATP synthase. A cell could potentially resort to glycolysis to produce ATP, and can regenerate  or  using anaerobic fermentation such as alcohol fermentation of lactic acid fermentation.

The electron transport chain passes electrons thru its main components: complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), coenzyme Q, complex III, cytochrome C, and complex IV. Complex IV is the cytochrome oxidase complex and it is inhibited by cyanide, carbon monoxide and azide. Cyanide binds irreversibly to complex IV preventing electron transfer.

Reactive oxygen species are superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen radicals. They are degraded by catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Neutrophils use reactive oxygen species to kill bacteria during the phagocytic oxidative burst. 

Uncouplers of the electron transport chain decrease the proton gradient and thus decrease ATP synthesis. Most energy from the electron transport chain is released as heat. The most common uncouplers are 2,4-dinitrophenol and aspirin, as well as thermogenin. Carbon monoxide is an inhibitor of the electron transport chain, not an uncoupler. Nitric oxide does not affect directly the electron transport chain.