How do organisms generate ATP?

Plants - harness light energy into chemical energy of ATP (photosynthesis) Eukaryotes- extract high energy electrons from fuels (mostly sugars) to synthesise ATP. This process is called oxidative phosphorylation and occurs in three key steps: 1)electrons flow through the mitochondrial electron transport chain to reduce oxygen, resulting in formation of a water molecule 2) the electron flow results in pumping of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, from matrix to the intermembrane space, creating a proton motive force or gradient  3) protons flow black into the matrix through ATP synthase, resulting in synthesis of ATP (chemiosmosis) 

MP
Answered by Mihai P. Biology tutor

3371 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

(b) Cigarette smoke contains nicotine. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that reduces the diameter of some blood vessels. (i) Using this information, explain why smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). How do I approach this?


How is the lung adapted for gas exchange?


Putting bee honey on a cut kills bacteria. Honey contains a high concentration of sugar. Use your knowledge of water potential to suggest how putting honey on a cut kills bacteria. (AQA BIOL1)


Explain how the chromosome number is halved during meiosis.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning