Chemosmosis

/ˌkiːmoʊzˈmoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

The biological process in which a concentration gradient of ions (usually protons) across a membrane drives the production of ATP, the energy currency of cells.

Etymology

From chemo- (chemistry) + osmosis (from Greek osmos, 'push'). This term was formalized by biochemist Peter Mitchell in 1961 when he proposed how mitochondria actually generate energy.

Kelly Says

Chemosmosis was so revolutionary that Peter Mitchell won the Nobel Prize for figuring it out—it explained how your cells make energy and completely changed biochemistry.

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