If the Cytoplasm of a Cell is at PH 7

Question

If the cytoplasm of a cell is at pH 7, and the mitochondrial matrix is at pH 8, this means that
A) the concentration of H+ ions is tenfold higher in the cytoplasm than in the mitochondrial matrix.
B) the concentration of H+ ions is tenfold higher in the mitochondrial matrix than in the cytoplasm.
C) the concentration of H+ ions in the cytoplasm is 7/8 the concentration in the mitochondrial matrix.
D) the mitochondrial matrix is more acidic than the cytoplasm.
E) the concentration of H+ ions in the cytoplasm is 8/7 the concentration in the mitochondrial matrix.

Accepted Answer

The pH scale is logarithmic, where a decrease of one pH unit represents a tenfold increase in the concentration of H+ ions. Therefore, if the cytoplasm is at pH 7 and the mitochondrial matrix is at pH 8, the cytoplasm has a tenfold higher concentration of H+ ions compared to the mitochondrial matrix.