intermembránový

Intermembránový refers to something located or occurring between two membranes. In biology, this term is most commonly used in the context of cellular structures. The intermembrane space is a region found between the inner and outer membranes of certain organelles.

A prime example is the intermembrane space of mitochondria. This area is situated between the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is folded into cristae, and the outer mitochondrial membrane, which encloses the entire organelle. This intermembrane space plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, particularly in the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space, creating an electrochemical gradient that drives ATP synthesis.

Another significant location where the term intermembránový is applied is within the nucleus. The nuclear envelope, which surrounds the nucleus in eukaryotic cells, consists of two membranes: an inner nuclear membrane and an outer nuclear membrane. The space between these two membranes is called the perinuclear space or intermembrane space of the nuclear envelope. This region is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.

In a broader sense, intermembránový can also describe processes or components that span or interact across these membrane boundaries. Understanding the intermembránový regions is vital for comprehending the compartmentalization and functional organization of cells.