Cytochrome c oxidase is the component of the respiratory chain that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water. Subunits 1-3 form the functional core of the enzyme complex. CO I is the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. Electrons originating in cytochrome c are transferred via the copper A center of subunit 2 and heme A of subunit 1 to the bimetallic center formed by heme A3 and copper B (By similarity). 4 Fe(II)-[cytochrome c] + 8 H(+)(in) + O2 = 4 Fe(III)-[cytochrome c] + 4 H(+)(out) + 2 H2O Energy metabolism; oxidative phosphorylation. Belongs to the heme-copper respiratory oxidase family.