As electrons flow from one photosystem to another, the amount of energy present in the electrons decreases. How does the plant cell use the energy lost by the electrons? A)The energy is used directly by ATP synthase to make ATP. B)The energy is used to reduce NADP⁺ to NADPH. C)The energy is used to increase the pH of the thylakoid lumen. D)The energy is used to create and maintain a proton gradient.

Question

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The energy lost by the electrons is used to create and maintain a proton gradient. This gradient is established by pumping protons from the stroma to the lumen of the thylakoid. The difference in proton concentration and charge between the lumen and stroma generates an electrochemical gradient that is useable to power ATP synthesis via ATP synthase. Thus, the energy of the electrons is converted into a form that can be used by the plant cell.

As Electrons Flow from One Photosystem to Another, the Amount