We owe our life and energy to this little molecular motor, the ATP Synthase. This cute motor lies across the inner membrane of the mitochondria. It extends into the intermembrane space and the mitochondrial matrix. Its function is to use a chemical gradient to fuel the creation of ATP.The F1 unit of the ATP synthase is composed of 5 different subunits: 3 alpha, 3 beta,1 gamma, 1 delta, and 1 epsilon. The subunit that binds the substrate is the beta.
The electron transport chain functions in transferring protons from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. The proton then travel through the ATP synthase, where when two travel down they will connect with an oxygen to form water. When they travel through the ATP synthase, it allows it the energy to converty ADP + Pi to ATP.
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References:
Information: http://www.life.illinois.edu/crofts/bioph354/lect10.html
Picture: http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/lectures/respiration.htm
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