Proton motive force
Proton Motive Force (Pronunciation: Pro-ton Mo-tive Force, Etymology: From the Greek word 'proton', meaning 'first', and the Latin word 'motivus', meaning 'moving) is a form of potential energy that is generated by the transfer of protons (or hydrogen ions) across a membrane (such as the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells).
Definition
The Proton Motive Force (PMF) is the electrochemical gradient of protons across a biological membrane. It is the main intermediary of cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy. The PMF is used by many types of cells for the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy currency of the cell.
Mechanism
The PMF is generated by the action of proton pumps, which are proteins that use the energy from electron transport chain to pump protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space. This creates a concentration gradient of protons, and a charge difference across the membrane, both of which contribute to the PMF.
Role in ATP Synthesis
The PMF is used by the enzyme ATP synthase to drive the synthesis of ATP. As protons flow back down their concentration gradient, through the ATP synthase, they provide the energy needed for the enzyme to catalyze the reaction that combines ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate to form ATP.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Proton motive force
- Wikipedia's article - Proton motive force
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