Protons Can Have Different Fates in Bacterial ETS

Multiple Choice

Protons can have different fates in bacterial ETS. Which of the following processes does NOT affect the proton motive force (Δp) ?

A) Protons are pumped across the membrane (H+) by oxidoreductase complexes.
B) Protons are consumed from the cytoplasm by the quinone/quinol pool.
C) Protons are released outside the membrane from the quinone/quinol pool.
D) Protons are consumed by combining with terminal electron acceptors such as O₂.
E) Protons combining with O₂, used as a terminal acceptor, compensate protons released by catabolic pathways.