AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The relationship in mitochondria between changes in the pH of the intermembrane space and the production of ATP by ATP synthase is that as the pH of the intermembrane space decreases (i.e. gets more acidic), the production of ATP by ATP synthase will increase.

Detailed explanation-2: -During electron transport, energy is used to pump hydrogen ions across the mitochondrial inner membrane, from the matrix into the intermembrane space. A chemiosmotic gradient causes hy drogen ions to flow back across the mitochondrial membrane into the matrix, through ATP synthase, producing ATP.

Detailed explanation-3: -If there are more hydrogen ions in the intermembrane space, this means there are more hydrogen ions available to move through the channel of ATP synthase. This in turn means that there will be an increase in the number of ADP molecules being phosphorylated. Therefore, more ATP will be produced.

Detailed explanation-4: -The pH of the intermembrane space is about 7.0, whereas the pH of the matrix is about 8.0.