In Chapter 8, we saw that ATP is the currency of the cell,powering almost all the work carried out in a typical cell. Inalmost all eukaryotes and aerobic prokaryotes, the majority of thisATP is synthesized from the flow of stored hydrogen ions (protons)in the form of a proton gradient. This week’s forum will explorethe universality of proton gradients and provide insight into therole they may have played in the origin of life itself and why,despite their incredible biochemical virtuosity, prokaryotes havefailed to develop the complex morphology (multicellularity)observed for eukaryotic cells . Read the article Why Are CellsPowered by Proton Gradients, and answer the questions that follow.----> LINK ;https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/why-are-cells-powered-by-proton-gradients-14373960

1. (a) Explain how “natural” proton gradients could have arisenat ancient hydrothermal vents. Be sure to include in your responsethe source of the protons. (b) Do those same “natural” gradientsexist today at hydrothermal vents – why or why not?

2. From analysis of Figure 4, explain the meaning of the FigureLegend, “Why chemistry is not enough”.

3. What explanation does the paper provide as to why prokaryoticcells have shown little tendency to develop the morphologicalcomplexity observed for eukaryotic cells?

4. Speculating is a fun part of science. Many of the hypothesesput forth in this paper are highly speculative. For example, littledata exists to support the hydrothermal vent origin of protongradients. Based on our class discussions, either propose anotherpossible origin for proton gradients, or propose a question on apoint or aspect of the origin that you find unclear orconfusing.