Final answer:
The energy from electrons in the ETC is used to pump hydrogen ions across the mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient that is utilized to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The energy stolen from the electrons traveling down the electron transport chain (ETC) is used to pump hydrogen ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This creates an electrochemical gradient, also known as a proton gradient or proton-motive force. The energy stored in this gradient is then harnessed by ATP synthase during the process of oxidative phosphorylation to synthesize ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of the cell.
In detail, as electrons move through the ETC, they travel from a higher to a lower energy state, an exergonic process, and this energy released is utilized in pumping protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. The proton gradient generates a form of potential energy that is then converted into chemical energy as ATP synthase allows protons to flow back across the membrane, coupling this flow with the phosphorylation of ADP (adenosine diphosphate) to form ATP.