The proton pump is a protein that moves protons across membr

The proton pump is a protein that moves protons across membranes against their concentration to create an electrochemical gradient. Another protein called an amino acid transporter utilizes that gradient to move amino acids uphill against their concentration gradient. If one form of energy (the proton pump) is converted into another form of energy (the movement of the amino acids), why isn’t this a violation of the second law of thermodynamics? Because… A. some of the energy will be lost as heat. B. the transporter only functions by being phosphorylated by ATP. C. the second law only applies to ecosystems. D. both the pump and the transporter are exergonic. E. the exergonic pump is coupled to the endergonic transporter.

Solution

Answer:

I think (E. The exergonic pump is coupled to the endergonic transporter) Is the correct explanation for the problem. Proton pumping generates energy which is utilized by amino acid transporter.