Editing Intracellular pH (section)

== In organelles ==
[[File:PH_of_organelles.jpg|alt=|thumb|207x207px|Approximate pHs of various organelles within a cell.<ref name=":2" />]]
The pH within a particular organelle is tailored for its specific function.

For example, lysosomes have a relatively low pH of 4.5.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, fluorescence microscopy techniques have indicated that phagosomes also have a relatively low internal pH.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal | vauthors = Nunes P, Guido D, Demaurex N | title = Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy | journal = Journal of Visualized Experiments | issue = 106 | pages = e53402 | date = December 2015 | pmid = 26710109 | pmc =  4692782| doi = 10.3791/53402 }}</ref> Since these are both degradative organelles that engulf and break down other substances, they require high internal acidity in order to successfully perform their intended function.<ref name=":4" />

In contrast to the relatively low pH inside lysosomes and phagosomes, the mitochondrial matrix has an internal pH of around 8.0, which is approximately 0.9 pH units higher than that of inside intermembrane space.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Porcelli AM, Ghelli A, Zanna C, Pinton P, Rizzuto R, Rugolo M | title = pH difference across the outer mitochondrial membrane measured with a green fluorescent protein mutant | journal = Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | volume = 326 | issue = 4 | pages = 799–804 | date = January 2005 | pmid = 15607740 | doi = 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.11.105 }}</ref> Since oxidative phosphorylation must occur inside the mitochondria, this pH discrepancy is necessary to create a gradient across the membrane. This membrane potential is ultimately what allows for the mitochondria to generate large quantities of ATP.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, etal | title = Molecular Biology of the Cell |  edition = 4th | location = New York | publisher = Garland Science | date = 2002 | chapter = The Mitochondrion | chapter-url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26894/ }}</ref>

[[File:Mitochondria Intermembrane pH.jpg|thumb|Protons being pumped from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space as the electron transport chain runs, lowering the pH of the intermembrane space.]]