Q: ATP can be generated by oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria via the electron transport chain, which comprises of a series of hydrogen pumps, electron carriers and ATP synthase. An electrochemical H+ gradient is produced across the inner mitochondrial membrane when H+ is pumped (driven by redox reactions within the proton pump complexes) from the matrix into the intermembrane space. The return of H+ into the matrix through ATP synthase drives the synthesis of ATP. Oligomycin is a macrolide (type of antibiotic) that inhibits the proton channel (F0 subunit) of ATP synthase. What can we expect to happen to the H+ electrochemical gradient with the introduction of oligomyciin?
A		The buildup of H+ in the intermembrane space would eventually overcome oligomycin and ATP would continue to be generated.
B		H+ would begin to flow from the intermembrane space into the matrix back through the proton pump complexes of the ETC.
C		The H+ gradient would be unaffected.
D		H+ would stop being pumped from the matrix into the intermembrane space.

Oxidative Phosphorylation | Membrane Transport and Signalling |