NEETBotanyRespiration in Plants
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): During oxidative phosphorylation, the mitochondrial matrix becomes more acidic than the intermembrane space. Reason (R): The electron transport system complexes actively pump protons from the matrix into the intermembrane space. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answ
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Correct answer
D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Step-by-step solution
During oxidative phosphorylation, the electron transport system (ETS) complexes located in the inner mitochondrial membrane actively pump protons ( H^+ ) from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. This accumulation of protons increases the H^+ concentration in the intermembrane space, lowering its pH and making it more acidic than the matrix. The matrix, having lost protons, becomes relatively alkaline. Therefore, the Assertion is incorrect, while the Reason is a true statement. Answer: (A) is not