Question

1.Describe in detail how the proton motive force (PMF) is generated and how ATP is produced from PMF.

Answer 1

Answer:

In electron transport chain, while electrons are being transferred from one carriers to other, it is associated that the transfer of protons from mitochondria matrix to inner membrane space. This causes proton concentration gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Then proton motive force would develop. Then the protons are transferred from inner membrane space to matrix via ATP synthase enzyme. During the transfer of protons via ATP synthase, energy is released. This energy is utilized to synthesize ATP from ADP and ip. Thus proton motive force causes to synthesize ATP in cellular respiration.

The same phenomenon is also followed in light reaction of photosynthesis to synthesize ATP.