alleryStart learning →What kind of gradient does the uneven distribution of hydrogen ions across the membrane establish?
AA pressure gradient only
BA thermal gradient only
CAn electrochemical gradient
DAn osmotic gradient only
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. An electrochemical gradient
1. Chemiosmosis uses free energy from the redox reactions to pump hydrogen ions across the membrane.
2. The uneven distribution that results establishes both concentration and electrical gradients.
3. Taken together those two make an electrochemical gradient.
4. The electrical part exists because hydrogen ions carry a positive charge and gather on one side.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Cellular Respiration", section 7.4 Oxidative Phosphorylation_
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