Question - The measured membrane potential across the inner membrane of a liver mitochondrion is approximately 0.168V. The pH of its matrix is 0.9 units higher than that of its intermembrane space.

Note that RT= 2.478 kJ/mol

a) Considering the number of proton ions transported through the mitochondrial inner membrane during oxidation of NADH, show how much energy of NADH oxidation is preserved in the form of electrochemical gradient?

b) What percentage of this energy is converted to produce ATP? ATP --> ADP + Pi deltaG'° = -31.4 kJ/mol

Assume that log ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi]) = - 1.13 and that 3 molecules of ATP are produced per pair of electrons transported by the respiratory chain.

d) Two transport processes across the inner membrane of the mitochondria reduce the proton motive force. Describe both process and briefly explain how they reduce the proton motive force.