consists of two major components, F and F (Figure . ). The F headpiece is a peripheral membrane protein complex and contains the site for synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. F is an integral membrane protein complex that forms the channel through which protons cross the inner membrane.
The passage of protons through the channel is coupled to the catalytic site of the F component for the production of ATP. For each ATP produced, 4H + passes through F from the intermembrane space to the matrix down the electrochemical proton gradient.