Question

Why does the ATP exchange ratio in mitochondria count 4 H+ translocated for every ATP synthesized, when only 3 H+ need to cross the inner mitochondrial membrane to generate 1 ATP?

Answer 1

The ATP exchange ratio in the mitochondria has 4 H + for each ATP synthesized when in reality with 3 H + that cross the internal mitochondrial membrane an ATP molecule is generated because the intermembrane space is needed to be rich in H + for that a proton movement is generated in the proton-channeling subunit, this excess of protons will function as a proton motor force that will produce a turn in the innermost subunit where the exchange process is taking place (in which the ATP is generated), that causes conformational modifications in the rest of the sites involved in the generation of the ATP. This rotation produces the release of the ATP molecule, so that the excess H + functions as a rotational catalyst and is not directly related to the synthesis of the molecule. In short, its function is to generate the necessary force for the rotational movement to occur. which generates the ATP molecule