proton pump during oxidative phosphorylation

[Silverfalcon]

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I just wanted to confirm what I have is right. It's pretty basic but important.

In oxidative phosphorylation, a gradient is made by pumping protons out from matrix to the intermemebrane space. This gradient is then used by ATP synthase to pump protons down the gradient from intermembrane space to matrix.

Again, I just wanted to make sure if the direction between intermembrane space and matrix was correct. Thanks!

 

[dextor2003]

perfect

 

[Pons Asinorum]

This gradient is then used by ATP synthase to pump protons down the gradient from intermembrane space to matrix.

I would think of it more as ATP Synthase is a windmill, and the flow of protons down their gradient acts as the breeze that spins the windmill, to extend the analogy. As the windmill turns, it uses that rotational energy to join ADP and Pi. Since protons move down their electrochemical gradient, they aren't "pumped." But this is all inside baseball. You are right, the flows are in the right direction.

 

[Silverfalcon]

I would think of it more as ATP Synthase is a windmill, and the flow of protons down their gradient acts as the breeze that spins the windmill, to extend the analogy. As the windmill turns, it uses that rotational energy to join ADP and Pi. Since protons move down their electrochemical gradient, they aren't "pumped." But this is all inside baseball. You are right, the flows are in the right direction.

Gotcha, thank you for the analogy! 👍

Thanks dextor2003 as well! 🙂