Where is atp synthase located in the mitochondrion?

a. cytosol

b. electron transport chain

c. outer membrane

d. inner membrane

e. mitochondrial matrix

In mitochondria ATP synthase is located in the inner membrane, the hydrophilic catalytic F1 portion is sticking into matrix. In a way a mitochondrion is a bacterium “swallowed” by the eukaryotic cell: then the inner mitochondrial membrane corresponds to the bacterial cell membrane.

Explanation:

ATP synthase is an enzyme that creates the energy storage molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the most commonly used "energy currency" of cells for all organisms. It is found from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The overall reaction catalyzed by ATP synthase is:

ADP + Pi + 3H+out ⇌ ATP + H2O + 3H+in

it provides an alternative energy pathway for the reaction to proceed.

a catalyst is a substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction but is not consumed during the course of the reaction.

catalysts increase the rate of reaction without being used up. they do this by lowering the activation energy needed. with a catalyst, more collisions result in a reaction, so the rate of reaction increases. different reactions need different catalysts.

a catalyst works by providing an alternative reaction pathway to the reaction product. the rate of the reaction is increased as this alternative route has a lower activation energy than the reaction route not mediated by the catalyst.