What happens as ATP is synthesized in the electron transport chain?

Answer 1

just as in photosynthesis, the flow of hydrogen ions is used to make ATP. hydrogen ions diffuse through a protein channel in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. the channel is part of the ATP synthase enzyme. ATP synthase adds phosphate groups to ADP to make ATP molecules. for each pair of electrons that passes through the electron transport chain, an average of three ATP molecules are made

Answer 2

During ATP synthesis in the electron transport chain, energy is used to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient. This gradient drives the flow of protons back across the membrane through ATP synthase, which couples the movement of protons to the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation.

Answer 3

Protons diffuse back from the intermembrane space into the mitochondrial matrix.

Submitted by ECSkye