John Walker – Martin Montgomery

Mitochondria – ATP Synthase

In your body the electric motor enzyme ATP Synthase driven by protons – not electrons – catalyses the reaction: ADP + P → ATP

A protons neutralise negatively charged groups on the stator causing it to turn

www.bioc.aecom.yu.edu

A rotating central spindle opens and closes the cavity gaps

allowing ADP and P in and ATP out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP_synthase

Meccano Clockwork Motor

Hornby Metropolitan Londom Subway Engine

ATP synthase (EC 3.6.3.14) is an important enzyme that provides energy for the cell to use through the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the most commonly used "energy currency" of cells from most organisms. It is formed from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi), and needs energy.The overall reaction sequence is: ATP synthase + ADP + Pi → ATP Synthase + ATPEnergy is often released in the form of protium or H+, moving down an electrochemical gradient, such as from the lumen into the stroma of chloroplasts or from the inter-membrane space into the matrix in mitochondria.

rotating spindle

opens and closes the cavities

ADP + P

enter

A protons neutralise negatively charged groups on the stator

causing it to turn

ATP ejected

An electric motor

driven by protons

in water !

A protons neutralise negatively charged groups on the stator causing it to turn – this is a real electric motor – driven by protons – NB in aqueous media!!!!

Central rotating spindle opens and

closes the cavities to allow ADP to enter and ATP to escape

ADP and P enter the cavities and combine to form

ATP

ATP ejected

This is a real electric motor – driven by protons (not electrons)

– NB in water !!!!Paul Boyer and John Walker

Balmoos and Dimroth

rotating spindle opens and closes the

cavities

Protons neutralise –vely charged moiety on rotor causing rotor to rotate 30o

ADP + Pi enter cavity

ATP ejected

ATP

Synthase

Paul Boyer

John Walker