TBR Biology - mitchondria concept

[lamborghiniMD]

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This is the TBR Bio book 1 and in the chapter about metabolic pathways.

They mentioned about the F1Fo ATP synthase and how the proton gradient is established from the outer membrane to the inner. So basically the space between the outer and inner membrane has a high [H+] right?

But then they said that if you were to conduct an experiment where you reverse the outer and inner membrane, how would this affect the proton gradient. So wouldn't the idea just be reversed?

I'm a little confused on what the chapter was talking about "reversing the membranes" if anyone can help. THank you!

 

[shaboobly]

idk what you are talking about, but the proton gradient is set up, so that the H+ can flow down its concentration gradient through the ATP synthase to generate ATP from ADP. think of this like a water wheel where the water flows down its gradient and potential energy is converted to the turning of the wheel which can be coupled with another process like a motor.

 

[lamborghiniMD]

Sorry I meant book II. On page 206, it talks about how two scientists reversed the position of the F1 Fo from how they were normally found. "...This caused protons to be pumped into the interior. This established a proton gradient which was utilized by the ATP synthetase apparatus to synthesize ATP in the exterior medium." I don't know what they mean by this. Here's the diagram they give if it helps: