chemiosmosis

Chemiosmosis is a process cells use to generate energy in the form of ATP, which powers various functions. Inside the cell's mitochondria, energy from nutrients is used to create a concentration difference of protons (positively charged particles) across a membrane. This gradient creates potential energy. As protons flow back across the membrane through special channels, their movement drives an enzyme called ATP synthase to produce ATP. Essentially, chemiosmosis harnesses the flow of ions to turn a form of stored energy into a usable energy currency for the cell.