chemiosmosis

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Electron Transport Chain, proton gradient, and ATP synthesis.

NADH and FADH

High-energy electron carriers, often referred to as 'batteries'.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

A series of protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane where high-energy electrons from NADH and FADH
are used to generate energy.

Redox reactions

Chemical reactions in the ETC where electrons hop from one protein to another, involving one molecule losing electrons (oxidized) and another gaining them (reduced).

Inner mitochondrial membrane

The location where the Electron Transport Chain proteins are embedded and where protons (H
) are pumped across.

H
ions (protons)

Ions pumped across the inner mitochondrial membrane by ETC proteins, creating a concentration gradient.

Proton gradient

A difference in H
concentration across the inner mitochondrial membrane, with a high concentration on one side and a low concentration on the other.

Proton-motive force

The 'stored pressure' or potential energy resulting from the proton gradient, capable of doing work.

ATP Synthase

A protein complex in the membrane that acts like a turbine; H
ions flow through it, causing it to spin and produce ATP from ADP and phosphate.

Coupling of ETC to ATP synthesis

The process where the H
gradient (proton-motive force) drives the production of ATP by flowing through ATP Synthase.