Question

ATP Synthase is an enzyme found in the inner mitochondrial membrane that utilizes the significant proton gradient established by the complexes of the ETS to create ATP by coupling ADP & P.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

ATP synthase is indeed an enzyme in the inner mitochondrial membrane that utilizes a proton gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and phosphate, and this process is integral to aerobic respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question asks if ATP synthase is an enzyme located in the inner mitochondrial membrane that uses a proton gradient to synthesize ATP by combining ADP and phosphate (Pi). The answer to this is true. ATP synthase functions like a molecular turbine, with the energy provided by the flow of protons (H+) down their electrochemical gradient. This proton flow, known as chemiosmosis, drives the rotation of the ATP synthase complex, facilitating the conversion of ADP and Pi into ATP, a process called oxidative phosphorylation.

Understanding the role of ATP synthase is crucial when considering the overall yield of ATP from one molecule of glucose during aerobic respiration. The electron transport chain (ETC) creates the necessary proton gradient that ATP synthase exploits to generate ATP.