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Where do hydrogen ions go after photo synthesis?

User Yenssen
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2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

During photosynthesis, hydrogen ions are pumped into the thylakoid space and then flow back into the stroma through ATP synthase. They can be used in other metabolic processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

During photosynthesis, hydrogen ions (H+) are pumped into the thylakoid space of the chloroplasts through the electron transport chain. This creates an electrochemical gradient where there is a high concentration of hydrogen ions in the thylakoid space and a low concentration in the stroma.

The hydrogen ions then flow back into the stroma through a specialized protein channel called ATP synthase. This flow of hydrogen ions through ATP synthase is known as chemiosmosis and is used to generate ATP, a molecule that stores energy.

So, after photosynthesis, the hydrogen ions return to the stroma and can be used in other metabolic processes.

User Znelson
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the molecules pass the electron they pump hydrogen ions from one side of the membrane to the other. The high concentration of hydrogen ions pumped into the inner thylakoid space (the thylakoid lumen) can then be used to make ATP by a process called chemiosmosis.

User EPB
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