chemiosmosis

what is chemiosmosis?

it’s the process by which protons move across the inner mitochondrial membrane, down the concentration gradient, releasing the energy needed for the enzyme ATP synthase to make ATP

what allows the H+ to move back across the inner membrane & down their concentration gradient?

a specialized protein channel called ATP synthase

what is the proton motive force?

it’s the electrochemical gradient created by the transfer of protons across a membrane

what’s the proton motive force used for?

creating the required energy to phosphorylate ADP using Pi to form ATP. this method of creating ATP is known as oxidative phosphorylation.

how is ATP created through the ATP synthase?

a structure in the ATP synthase rotates & generates ATP as H+ flow through it. redox reactions of the ETC also provide the energy to maintain the hydrogen ion gradient