After Complex IV electrons flow,
To oxygen which is ever so
Electronegative it pulls electrons down the chain,
Keeping them moving like the cars of a train.
And as O2 does this electron grabbing trick,
It also grabs protons from the matrix.
They all combine to form H2O
Electron transport chain, watch it go!
CHORUS
Now all these protons in the intermembrane space
Are trapped they can’t get out of that place
‘Cause protons are charged and could never get through
A phospholipid bilayer, they can’t diffuse
But like all particles, they’re dying to go
From where their concentration’s high to where it’s low
Stuck in the intermembrane space they're frustrated.
To diffuse to the matrix, they’re highly motivated.
And this gradient’s been made steeper by O2
Which absorbs protons from the matrix stew,
So from proton pumping, and oxygen’s actions.
Add another force, electrochemical attraction!
Think of all those trapped protons, each one’s positive.
The matrix, in comparison is negative.
Opposites attract, so the protons are dying
To get to matrix, oh how they’re trying!