Cell Language Theory, The: Connecting Mind And Matter

62 The Cell Language Theory: Connecting Mind and Matter

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

Figure 3.6 The postulated mitochondrial ion transport channel (also called “transproto-

nase”) lined with charge pairs that are utilized for both active and passive transport pro-

cesses. Reproduced from [144].

catalyzes oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria was referred to as the

“supermolecule” consisting of the electron-transfer complex (ETC) and

ATP synthase, the latter in turn consisting of the “base piece”, the “stalk”,

and the “headpiece” (Figure 3.4). As two pairs of electrons flow through

the electron carriers in ETC accompanied by intramembrane protons, one

ATP molecule is thought to be synthesized per coupling site, of which

there are known to be 3. Due to the separation of electrons and protons in

ETC which is conformationally deformable, three kinds (i.e., electrical,

mechanical, and chemical) of energetic interactions inevitably ensue.

The concepts of the “respirasome” and supercomplexes that are analo-

gous to the supermolecule depicted in Figure 3.4(a) appeared recently in the

field of mitochondrial electron transport processes [152–155]. A respiras-

ome consists of functionally organized system of complexes I, III, and IV

that catalyzes the oxidation of NADH and reduces oxygen to form water

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