Why are 4 H+ needed for every ATP synthesized and exported by mitochondria, even though only 3 H+ need to be translocated by the

Question

myrzilka [38]

2 years ago

7

Why are 4 H+ needed for every ATP synthesized and exported by mitochondria, even though only 3 H+ need to be translocated by the

ATP Synthase Complex to synthesize one ATP?

Biology

1 answer:

kykrilka [37] · Answer 1 · 2022-06-02T16:17:36+03:00

Answer: One H⁺ ion ie required in converting ATP and inorganic phosphate to ATP

Explanation:During oxidative phosphorylation, high energy electrons released by hydrogen carriers are shuttled through the electron transport chain. The released energy is used to translocate 3 H+ ions from the matrix, creating an proton motive force, which will cause 1 H+ ion to move down the electrochemical gradient and diffuse back into the matrix (chemiosmosis) which is facilitated by ATP synthase. As the H+ moves through the ATP synthase this triggers the molecular rotation of the enzyme, synthesizing ATP