Question

During the final step of cellular respiration (electron transport chain & oxidative phosphorylation), the mitochondria pumps H+ ions from the matrix (the innermost part of the mitochondria) to the intermembrane space. This creates something called a concentration gradient. After all the H+ ions are pumped into this space, where do H+ ions want to move and more importantly why?

Answer 1

Overview of oxidative phosphorylation. The electron transport chain forms a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which drives the synthesis of ATP via chemiosmosis