Question

In photosynthesis, how does the movement of electrons along the electron transport chain affect hydrogen ions (h+)? how does this compare to what happens in the mitochondria during cellular respiration

Answer 1

As electrons move along the chain, hydrogen ion are pumped from the stroma of the chloroplast into thylakoid lumen. these leads to creation of proton gradient in thylakoid lumen with the potential energy that will be used to synthesize ATP by enzyme ATPase in the process referred to as rotational catalysis. both chloroplast and mitochondria use electron transport chain to pump protons across the membrane and both enzyme ATPase to produce ATP using proton gradient created in the process of transport of hydrogen ions. the main existing between the electron transport chains of chloroplast and mitochondria is the initial source of energy. chloroplasts obtain their energy from sunlight whereas mitochondria obtain theirs from organic molecules.