VCAC: Cellular Processes: Electron Transport Chain: Advanced Look: ATP Synthase

Questions? Comments? Please contact Dr. Phillip McClean or Christina Johnson.

Flythrough Tour

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CELLULAR PROCESSES

Atp Synthase

Electron Transport Chain

Protein Trafficking

Protein Modification

Protein Recycling

Insulin Signaling

Constitutive Secretion

Regulated Secretion

Mitochondrial Protein Transport

Photosynthesis (Light)

Photosystem II

Mitosis

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MOLECULAR PROCESSES

Transcription

Regulated Transcription

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

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HOME > ETC > ADVANCED LOOK > 1.) NADH > 2.) CYTOCHROME b-c1 > 3.) CYTOCHROME OXIDASE > 4.) ATP SYNTHASE

ETC: Advanced Look --> 4.) ATP Synthase

ATP synthase is considered a part of the electron transport chain, but it is not involved in the transport of electrons. ATP synthase uses the proton gradient created by the ETC to synthesize ATP. Clicking on each of the thumbnail images will bring up a larger, labeled version of the described scene.

To see the Flash movie for the following sequence of images, click here.

	ATP synthase accepts one proton from the intermembrane space and releases a different proton into the matrix space to create the energy it needs to synthesize ATP. It must do this three times to synthesize one ATP from the substrates ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate).
	With the supply of NADH exhausted, the electron transport chain can no longer maintain the proton gradient that powers ATP synthase, and ATP synthesis comes to a stop.