Asked by Chuck Bass
In the electron transport chain, hydrogen ions are released from NADH and diffuse into the mitochondrial intermembrane space. What then happens to these hydrogen ions?
They are recycled back into the electron transport chain.
They catalyze the production of ATP by ATP synthase.
They combine with oxygen to form water.
They form free hydrogen gas.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
They flow back through ATP synthase, driving ATP production. The proton gradient (proton‑motive force) across the inner membrane powers ATP synthase, which converts ADP + Pi into ATP. (Oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor and, with some protons, forms water at complex IV, but the protons in the intermembrane space primarily drive ATP synthesis.)
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