Question

Please show your work. I am trying to understand how to work this.

The proton motive force in mitochondria (Ap) can be calculated by the equation: Im (2 points) If the inner mitochondrial membrane would become freely permeable to chloride ions, what would be the new Ap? a.

Answer 1

If the inner membrane will be freely permeable to chloride ions, it makes chloride ions freely diffuse to the intermembrane space where proton concentration (hydrogen ion concentration) is high. As a result the voltage across the membrane due to charge separation will be broken, therfore ? (voltage component of the equation resulting from charge separation across the membrane) will be eliminated from the given equation. Therefore, ? = 0 for the given condition, also ?p = 0.

Chloride ions (negatively charged) will pass through the membrane and interact with hydrogen ions (positively charged), resulting in cancellation of overall charge, and loss of voltage generated earlier.