Mitochondrial intermembrane space
The intermembrane space of a Mitochondrion refers to the compartment formed between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes.[1]
The intermembrane space is chemically similar to cytosol, but includes a large amount of small proteins as well. As electrons move down the proteins in the electron transport chain, the electrons lose energy to bring H+ ions from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. As a concentration gradient of hydrogen ions forms, a protein called ATP synthase harnesses the potential energy of these ions and starts chemiosmosis, where the H+ ions reenter the matrix via this enzyme bound to the cristae (folds of the inner membrane). ADP and a phosphate group are combined to form ATP.
References
- ↑ Alberts, B; Johnson, A; et al. (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. Garland Science.
This article is issued from
Wikipedia.
The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike.
Additional terms may apply for the media files.