The energy used to pump hydrogen ions from the mitochondrial matrix across the inner membrane and into the intermembrane space is derived from

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy used to pump hydrogen ions is derived from the redox reactions in the electron transport chain. As electrons pass through the electron transport chain, energy is released and used to pump hydrogen ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient which is used to generate ATP through the process of chemiosmosis. ATP hydrolysis does not provide the energy for these pumps, decreasing the pH in the mitochondrial matrix occurs as a result of the ion pumping, and splitting water to form oxygen and protons occurs during photosynthesis, not cellular respiration.

The Energy Used to Pump Hydrogen Ions from the Mitochondrial