The Stoichiometry of Respiration-driven Potassium Transport in Corn Mitochondria

Determinations were made for corn (Zea mays L., WF9-Tms × M14) mitochondria of the stoichiometric relationship between K⁺ transport and bond energy produced in respiration (K⁺/~ ratio). With inward pumping of potassium acetate activated by NADH oxidation, the initial rate of K⁺ transported into the sucrose inaccessible space varied between 0.58 and 0.97 K⁺/~, assuming 2 high energy bond equivalents per NADH oxidized. Only small amounts of H⁺ were ejected. Valinomycin did not alter the ratio.