Question

Membrane potential and proton gradient:

• A. Reinforce one another when respiratory inhibitors are present
• B. Are sufficient, separately to make ATP from ADP + Pi
• C. Are required to make ATP
• D. Cancel one another when uncouplers are present

Answer 1

The correct option is C Are required to make ATP

Proton gradient is the difference in concentration of protons between the membrane of mitochondria and is the driving force behind ATP synthesis. The membrane potential also produces ATP but the driving force here is the loss of charge through the plasma membrane.