BIOC 405 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Atp Synthase, Electrochemical Gradient, Oligomycin
Document Summary
The inner membrane is where all the respiratory complexes are. The proton gradient is across the inner membrane in the matrix and the intermembrane space. )t"s possible to disrupt the mitochondrial membranes and use detergents wash away some of the lipids. The proton gradient and atp synthesis are coupled. Cannot flow if the ph gradient is too steep. When protons gets pumped across the inner membrane, they build up a proton gradient. The proton gradient goes through atp synthase, on which it causes conformational changes that synthesize atp. The complexes pick up protons due to random helical movement exposing carboxyl groups. If the complex does not pick up a proton and the gradient is too steep, there is no way the electrons can generate enough force to go through it. If you have plenty of adp around, you keep making atp and dissipate the proton gradient so the chain can keep going.
