Chlorophyll, more like bore-aphyll
In high school, you probably learned that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.
But why…?
So where is the mitochondria?
The mitochondria is located within our cells. Cells are what make up our body. There are millions of them.
The mitochondria runs the cell!
ATP is produced in mitochondria. ATP is the major source of energy for our cells. This is the reason why the mitochondria ‘runs’ the cell - literally!
The mitochondria makes ATP through ATP Synthase!
But how do the mitochondria produce ATP? That is the job of ATP synthase, a crazy big protein machine that is found in mitochondrial membranes. This is what it looks like - it’s legit a motor.
Let’s take a Journey with Mr. Proton...
This is Mr. Proton. He is a proton (H+). A proton is a hydrogen atom that lacks one electron. He will take us on a journey through the ATP synthase.
Mr. Proton needs his space...
Inside the mitochondria, Mr. Proton is with all of his proton acquaintances. They are at higher concentration on the inside compared to outside the mitochondria. Like many people, Mr. Proton also needs alone time. On the other side of the mitochondrial membrane (wall), there are fewer protons there. This is where Mr. Proton wants to go! A difference in proton concentration is called a proton gradient.
Mr. Proton ... get in line!
But there is a problem… ATP Synthase only allows one proton to go through the door at a time. This is just like when you are in economy on a plane waiting for everybody else in front of you to get off the plane!
It works like a water wheel!
The door leads to a rotor (F0). Think of it as a water wheel! When Mr. Proton gets in line, his weight causes the rotor to turn to make energy called mechanical energy. This type of energy will be useful later on!
Woohoo, ATP is generated!
Once one proton gets through the ATP synthase and mechanical energy is produced, the F1 part of ATP synthase uses that mechanical energy to make chemical energy to add a phosphate group to one ADP to make one ATP!
The end of the journey with Mr. Proton
Now, Mr. Proton is happy because he is in a less crowded place. As well, he helped the cell to make ATP!
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