Recall the direction in which protons are pumped across the inner mitochondrial membrane and describe the resulting pH difference in the mitochondrial matrix and intermembrane space.
a) Protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space, resulting in a higher pH in the matrix compared to the intermembrane space.
b) Protons are pumped from the intermembrane space to the mitochondrial matrix, resulting in a higher pH in the intermembrane space compared to the matrix.
c) Protons are pumped from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial matrix, resulting in a higher pH in the matrix compared to the cytoplasm.
d) Protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the cytoplasm, resulting in a higher pH in the cytoplasm compared to the matrix.