Final answer:
Cyanide and carbon monoxide disrupt ATP production by inhibiting the electron transport chain. This inhibition leads to an increase in pH in the intermembrane space due to a reduction in proton concentration and halts ATP synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyanide and carbon monoxide are poisons that can significantly impact ATP production within the mitochondria by disrupting the electron transport chain (ETC). These substances bind to cytochrome c oxidase, also known as Complex IV of the ETC. This binding inhibits the transfer of electrons to oxygen, the final electron acceptor, thereby halting the production of water and preventing the creation of a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Without the establishment of this gradient, the enzyme ATP synthase cannot produce ATP. Additionally, the disruption of proton flow back into the mitochondrial matrix would lead to a change in the pH of the intermembrane space. Since protons are no longer pumped into this space, we would expect the pH to increase (become more alkaline), due to a decrease in proton concentration.