Which of the following is the source of the energy that produces the chemiosmotic gradient in mitochondria?

• A. ATP
• B. An ATP-dependent proton pump
• C. The production of NADH
• D. The components of the electron transport chain
• E. Movement of electrons down the electron transport chain

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the chemiosmotic gradient in mitochondria is crucial for ATP synthesis during cellular respiration.
2. Recognize that the electron transport chain (ETC) is a series of protein complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
3. Know that as electrons move down the electron transport chain, they release energy.
4. This released energy is used to pump protons (H⁺) from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient.
5. The movement of electrons down the electron transport chain is the source of energy that establishes this chemiosmotic gradient, which is then used by ATP synthase to produce ATP.