Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

122 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

b2861 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter “6x9”

transferred horizontally from the upper hexagon to the upper circle to gener-

ate two water molecules and two protons in the opposite direction from the

lower circle to the lower hexagon, which leads to further relaxation of the

double-circle system due to charge annihilation and further contraction of the

double-hexagon system due to charge separation. The net result is the trans-

fer of the conformon (symbolized as a cocked spring) from the double-circle

system to the double-hexagon system. Such conformon transfer processes

may underlie the mechanical energy transfer from the proton gradient-driven

rotation of the F 0 component of the F 1 F 0 -ATP synthase to its g-subunit caus-

ing it to rotate. A similar mechanism may underlie the coupling between the

rotational motions of the g-subunit and the rotary conformational wave

propagation around the a 3 b3 hexamer in F 1 (see Figures 3.12(g) and 3.35).

3.3.3 Deconstructing the Chemiosmotic Model

The chemiosmotic model of oxidative phosphorylation [138–141] has the

following key features:

(1) The membrane-embedded respiratory enzymes (symbolized by the

upper box in Figure 3.32(a)) separate the electron (indicated by the

encircled negative charge) and the proton (H+) from the hydrogen atom

(H) and move the former across the membrane (from the left, L, to the

right, R, side), leading to the generation of a transmembrane proton

gradient and a membrane potential (not shown) and attendant acidifica-

tion of the L compartment and alkalization of the R compartment.

(2) The osmotic energy stored in the proton gradient (also called the

electrochemical gradient of protons or the “proton-motive force”)

then drives the abstraction of the hydroxyl ion (OH′) from the L com-

partment and the proton from the R compartment to effectuate the

removal of water molecules from ADP and Pi, leading to the synthe-

sis of ATP, all proceeding at the reaction center embedded inside the

M phase (see the dotted circle in the lower box in Figure 3.32(a)).

Please note that in the 1978 version of the chemiosmotic model,

the ATP synthesizing reaction center is moved to the periphery of the

mitochondrial inner membrane where F 1 is located (see the headpiece

of Complex V in Figure 3.32(b)), producing water in the R compart-

ment, not in the L compartment as in the 1961 version.

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