Question

Please read the article and asnwer the following questions

Read the article Why Are Cells Powered by Proton Gradients, and answer the questions that follow.

( https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/why-are-cells-powered-by-proton-gradients-14373960)

1. (a) Explain how “natural” proton gradients could have arisen at ancient hydrothermal vents. Be sure to include in your response the source of the protons. (b) Do those same “natural” gradients exist today at hydrothermal vents – why or why not?

2. From analysis of Figure 4, explain the meaning of the Figure Legend, “Why chemistry is not enough”.

3. What explanation does the paper provide as to why prokaryotic cells have shown little tendency to develop the morphological complexity observed for eukaryotic cells?

4. Speculating is a fun part of science. Many of the hypotheses put forth in this paper are highly speculative. For example, little data exists to support the hydrothermal vent origin of proton gradients. Based on our class discussions, either propose another possible origin for proton gradients, or propose a question on a point or aspect of the origin that you find unclear or confusing.

Answer 1

Four billion years ago, the oceanic water were four times more acidic than the hydrothermal vent which created proton gradient and led to the rise of natural proton gradient. Today the oceanic waters are not that acidic which retards the development of such proton gradient.

Chemistry follows the rule of stoichiometry, where equations are balanced on both the sides. However, oxidative phosphorylation, which produces ATP does not follow stoichiometry, which had to explained by proton gradient. Therefore, chemistry is insufficient in explaining some processes.

Prokaryotic cells do not have mitochondria , separate power house which is necessary for the development of complex organelles and other membrane bound structures. Therefore, prokaryotes are not complex when compared to eukaryotes.