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

3440 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the process of oxidative phosphorylation


What is another model for enzyme activity?


What are the functions of glycoproteins in the cell membrane? (6 marks)


How can donepezil improve communication between nerve cells?


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