Which statement regarding chemiosmosis in mitochondria is incorrect?

Which statement regarding chemiosmosis in mitochondria is incorrect?

• A. Protons are transported to the intermembrane space
• B. ATP is synthesized by ATP synthase during the process
• C. NADH is oxidized to produce ATP
• D. Energy from ATP is used to transport protons to the intermembrane space

Answer: (D)

The process of chemiosmosis in mitochondria involves the movement of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which creates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. In this context, the statement about energy from ATP being used to transport protons to the intermembrane space is inaccurate. During cellular respiration, particularly in the electron transport chain, energy from the oxidation of NADH and FADH₂ is used to pump protons from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space, not the energy derived from ATP. This proton gradient generated is what ultimately drives ATP synthase to produce ATP as protons flow back into the matrix, a process known as chemiosmosis. Protons are indeed transported to the intermembrane space, ATP is synthesized by ATP synthase during this process, and NADH is oxidized to facilitate ATP production, which are all correct components of how chemiosmosis functions in mitochondria.

The process of chemiosmosis in mitochondria involves the movement of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which creates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

In this context, the statement about energy from ATP being used to transport protons to the intermembrane space is inaccurate. During cellular respiration, particularly in the electron transport chain, energy from the oxidation of NADH and FADH₂ is used to pump protons from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space, not the energy derived from ATP. This proton gradient generated is what ultimately drives ATP synthase to produce ATP as protons flow back into the matrix, a process known as chemiosmosis.

Protons are indeed transported to the intermembrane space, ATP is synthesized by ATP synthase during this process, and NADH is oxidized to facilitate ATP production, which are all correct components of how chemiosmosis functions in mitochondria.