If the Cytoplasm of a Cell is at PH 7,and

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.