Question

g Identify the statements that accurately describe how hydrogen ion concentration relates to energy production in oxidative phosphorylation. Hydrogen ion concentration is lower in the mitochondrial matrix than in the intermembrane space. The pH in the mitochondrial matrix is lower than the pH in the intermembrane space. Energy is generated as a result of the difference in hydrogen ion concentration between the intermembrane space and the cytoplasm. Oxidative phosphorylation relies on the hydrogen ion concentration gradient generated and maintained by the electron transport chain. Hydrogen ions enter the mitochondrial matrix via facilitated diffusion.

Answer 1

Answer:

- Hydrogen ion concentration is lower in the mitochondrial matrix than in the intermembrane space.  

- Oxidative phosphorylation relies on the hydrogen ion concentration gradient generated and maintained by the electron transport chain.  

- Hydrogen ions enter the mitochondrial matrix via facilitated diffusion.

Explanation:

Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic pathway by which Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) molecules are produced through the transfer of electrons from NADH or FADH2 to molecular oxygen (O2). The hydrogen (H+) ions are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, and this movement of protons generates an electrochemical gradient across the mitochondrial membrane which is used by the ATP synthase to produce ATP. This gradient is generated by the movement of electrons through a series of electron carriers (e.g., cytochrome c and ubiquinone) that are embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The movement of these H+ ions across the semipermeable mitochondrial membrane moving down their electrochemical gradient is named chemiosmosis and is an example of facilitated diffusion.