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The origin and function of the proton gradient in the mitochondrion.
What is this process? Energized electrons being passed along by the proteins in the electron transport chain provide energy to pump H+ ions (protons) across the cristae. This creates a gradient of size and charge, with a higher concentration of protons in the inter membrane space. The protons "want" to go back down their gradient, but the only way they can is through ATP synthase. As they flow through ATP synthase, they provide it with the energy to convert ADP + P into ATP.