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ATP Synthesis

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Macromolecules
  • Enzymes & Reactions
  • Cell Biology
  • Cellular Energetics

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Animations

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:02:15
Saved By
14 Users
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Description

This animation shows how the proton gradient across the mitochondrial membrane powers the ATP synthase enzyme to make ATP. It is the fifth of six animations about cellular respiration. These animations bring to life the molecular engines inside mitochondria that generate ATP, the main source of chemically stored energy used throughout the body.
 
The electron transport chain (fourth animation) establishes a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. ATP synthase uses the energy stored in the proton gradient to catalyze the synthesis of ATP. The molecular machinery involved in this process converts chemical energy to mechanical energy and provides a great example of the relationship between the structure and function of macromolecules.

The animation is appropriate for teaching advanced high school or college-level students the in-depth mechanisms of ATP synthesis. For more general audiences, the animation can be used as an example of molecular machines, enzymes, and chemical gradients in action. Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different reactions or molecules. 

All six cellular respiration animations are also available in a YouTube playlist.

An audio descriptive version of the animation is available via our media player.

Key Terms

cellular respiration, chemical reaction, energy, enzyme, metabolism, mitochondria, molecular motor, proton gradient

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Video files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 10.02.20
Date Updated 07.12.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.C, HS-LS2.B

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1, SP2

IB Biology (2016)

2.8, 8.2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC4; DP3

Materials

Animation 1080P (M4V) 87 MB
Animation 1080P (WMV) 87 MB
Animation 720P (M4V) 36 MB
Animation 720P (WMV) 54 MB
Transcript (PDF) 154 KB

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