Chemiosmotic Theory

Chemiosmotic Theory

Chemiosmotic theory is the theory of proton electrochemical coupling. That a proton gradient is established across a membrane by the action of a primary proton pump. And that this proton gradient drives ATP synthesis through a secondary proton pump (ATP synthase or proton-translocating ATPase). It is interesting that this secondary pump is highly conserved in bacteria, mitocondria and chloroplasm membranes.

Chemiosmotic coupling was proposed by Peter Mitchell in the late 1960's and he later received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work

Reference: Nichols & Ferguson (1992)

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Bioenergetics
A bioenergetic representation of life. Living cells possess and maintain chemical gradients across their cell membranes.

Created 6/11/98
Last modified 9/4/01