3.5.A.3.ii

The transfer of electrons, through the ETC, is accompanied by the formation of a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, with the membrane(s) separating a region of high proton concentration outside the membrane from a region of low proton concentration inside the membrane. The folding of the inner membrane increases the surface area, which allows for more ATP to be synthesized. In prokaryotes, the passage of electrons is accompanied by the movement of protons across the plasma membrane.