Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

ATPase vs ATP synthase

CurrentlyAtLevel

This is a picture from my A2 spec and I was confused by the use of ATPase here.

Reply 1

Jpw1097

Original post by CurrentlyAtLevel

This is a picture from my A2 spec and I was confused by the use of ATPase here.

You're absolutely right, it should say ATP synthase. ATPase is an enzyme that breaks down ATP into ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP synthase is the enzyme which essentially has a stalk which is turned by H+ ions diffusing from the intermembrane space into the matrix through the channel, and fuses ADP and inorganic phosphate together to form ATP.