What should happen to the rate of ATP synthesis if you incre

What should happen to the rate of ATP synthesis if you increase the pH in the inner membrane space (assume a complete mitochondria)?

a)decrease

b)increase

c)no effect

d)not enough information was provided

Solution

Inner membrane is slightly basic due to moment of H+ ions from innermembrane into intermembrane space. So pH is higher than intermembrane space.

As like said in the question if pH of innermembrane increases pH gradient will be more accross the membrane, which creates more proton gradient hence ATP synthesis also increases.

Answer is (B). increase.