protonmotiveadj.
/ˌprəʊtɒnˈməʊtɪv/, U.S. /ˌproʊtɑnˈmoʊdɪv/ Physics and Biochemistry.
Of, relating to, or characterized by the movement of protons in response to an electric potential gradient. Chiefly in protonmotive force n. at Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle participating in strong interaction > baryon > [adjective] > relating to proton > movement of
protonmotive1966
1966 P. Mitchell in Biol. Rev. 41 494 The operation of the proton-translocating ATPase and o/r chain systems in an ion-tight membrane would create both a pH differential and a membrane potential, conveniently described together as a protonmotive force..by analogy with electromotive force.
1979 Science 7 Dec. 1153/3 The first protonmotive device conceived by man was the electromotive hydrogen-burning fuel cell, invented by William Grove in 1839.
1996 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93 2528/1 Coenzyme Q..was originally discovered as an essential member of the mitochondrial electron transfer chain..and later hypothesized and shown to function in the energy-conserving protonmotive Q cycle.
Compounds
protonmotive force n. a force, analogous to the electromotive force, which acts on the proton gradient between the two sides of a cell membrane and is equal to the sum of the electric potential difference and the pH gradient through the membrane.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electricity in living organisms > [noun]
animal electricity1765
electromotive force1824
bioelectricity1925
protonmotive force1966
the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > [noun] > of ions or protons > force
protonmotive force1966
1966*Protonmotive force [see main sense].
1977 J. L. Hall & D. A. Baker Cell Membranes & Ion Transport iv. 79 The energy derived from the proton gradient (the proton motive force) may be used to drive oxidative phosphorylation.
2001 A. L. Koch Bacterial Growth & Form (ed. 2) ii. 40 Chemotaxis is powered by chemiosmotic protonmotive force and not high-energy phosphate bonds.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1966