Hydrogen ions concentration gradient

Definition

This refers to the difference in concentration between two areas separated by a membrane. In biological systems, this often involves hydrogen ions (protons) moving across a membrane, such as the inner mitochondrial membrane or thylakoid membrane in chloroplasts.

Related terms

Active Transport:

The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.

Passive Transport:

The movement of biochemicals and other atomic or molecular substances across cell membranes without need for energy input.

Osmosis:

A process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from less concentrated solution into more concentrated one, thus equalizing concentrations on each side.