Figure 6.
Oxidative phosphorylation. The electron transport chain complex elements I, III, and IV pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane as electrons are transferred through the chain to oxygen, the final electron acceptor. This protein pumping generates the pmf, composed of a small chemical component (ΔpH) and a large electrical component (membrane potential, Δψ). Complex V, the ATP synthase, uses the proton gradient established across the inner membrane to generate ATP from ADP and Pi, a process referred as oxidative phosphorylation.