CHEMOSMOTIC Meaning and
Definition
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Chemosmotic, derived from the combination of the words "chemo-" and "osmotic," refers to a biological process that involves the generation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through the movement of ions across a membrane. It is a mechanism widely observed in living organisms, especially in cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
Chemosmosis relies on the establishment of an electrochemical gradient, which is the difference in ion concentration and electrical potential across a biological membrane. This gradient is created by active transport processes or through the absorption of light energy. The subsequent movement of ions through specialized protein channels embedded in the membrane generates a flow of protons or other ions. This flow of ions is coupled to the synthesis of ATP, which acts as the main energy currency in cells.
In cellular respiration, chemosmotic processes occur in the mitochondria. Here, electrons from carbon-rich molecules flow down the electron transport chain, resulting in the pumping of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The protons then flow back through ATP synthase, a complex enzyme, driving the production of ATP.
Similarly, in photosynthesis, chemosmosis occurs in the chloroplasts. Light energy excites electrons in chlorophyll molecules, initiating an electron flow and creating a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. The subsequent chemosmotic flow of protons drives ATP synthesis during the light-dependent reactions.
Overall, chemosmotic processes are crucial for energy generation and utilization in living organisms, allowing for the synthesis of ATP to support various cellular functions.
Common Misspellings for CHEMOSMOTIC
- xhemosmotic
- vhemosmotic
- fhemosmotic
- dhemosmotic
- cgemosmotic
- cbemosmotic
- cnemosmotic
- cjemosmotic
- cuemosmotic
- cyemosmotic
- chwmosmotic
- chsmosmotic
- chdmosmotic
- chrmosmotic
- ch4mosmotic
- ch3mosmotic
- chenosmotic
- chekosmotic
- chejosmotic
Etymology of CHEMOSMOTIC
The etymology of the word "chemosmotic" can be broken down as follows:
1. "Chemo-" originates from the Greek word "khemia", meaning "art of alloying metals" or "alchemy". In modern usage, it refers to "chemical" or "related to chemistry".
2. "-smotic" is derived from the Greek word "osmos", meaning "to push" or "excite". It is commonly used in the field of biology to describe processes involving the movement of substances through a semipermeable membrane.
Therefore, the word "chemosmotic" combines the concepts of chemistry ("-chemo") and osmosis ("-smotic"), and is typically used in the context of biochemistry, specifically to describe the movement of ions across a membrane driven by chemical reactions.
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