Membranes facilitate the production of ATP by separating an area with high H+ concentration from an area of low H+ concentration. When exploring this cell in the Interactive Visual Activity, where did you find ATP synthase embedded in a membrane?

Select all that apply.

endoplasmic reticulum
chloroplast
mitochondria
nucleus

1 answer

ATP synthase is embedded in membranes in both chloroplasts and mitochondria. Specifically:

  • Chloroplasts: ATP synthase is located in the thylakoid membrane, where it plays a key role in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
  • Mitochondria: ATP synthase is found in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it is involved in oxidative phosphorylation during cellular respiration.

The endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus do not contain ATP synthase embedded in their membranes for ATP production.

So, the correct options are:

  • Chloroplast
  • Mitochondria