Question

Proton gradient is very important across the membrane because

• A. building up of proton gradient releases energy
• B. building up of proton gradient increases the $pH$ towards lumen side of thylakoid membrane
• C. breakdown of proton gradient releases $CO _{2}$
• D. breakdown of proton gradient releases energy

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Proton gradient is very important because it is the breakdown of this gradient that leads to the release of energy. The gradient is broken down due to the movement of protons across the membrane to the stroma through the transmembrane channel of the $F_{0}$ of the ATPase.