What is chemiosmosis and how does it work?

Answer 1

Cells often use an electron transport chain to separate electrons from hydrogen protons. The hydrogen protons are then used during chemiosmosis. A hydrogen ion gradient is formed and the hydrogen ions flow through the ATP synthetase molecule to the other side of the membrane. Hydrogen ions accumulate outside the inner mitochondrial membrane during cell respiration and in the inner membrane space of the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts during photosynthesis. Bacteria use the outside plasma membrane as the surface to build up the hydrogen ion gradient. Therefore the energy from food is transferred to hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ions transfer the energy to ATP via the ATP synthetase enzyme. In this discussion you should include a discussion of the solar powered purple proton pump and the information found in Figures 6-10, 6-11, 6-12, 6-A, and 8-12 (p. 169). Chemiosmosis is critical in ATP production in eukaryote cells as well as most prokaryote cells.