When mitochondria are actively carrying out aerobic respiration

a. the pH of the matrix is greater than the pH of the intermembrane space.

b. the pH of the matrix is less than the pH of the intermembrane space.

c. the pH of the matrix is about the same as the pH of the intermembrane space.

d. the pH of the matrix versus the intermembrane space has nothing to do with whether not aerobic respiration is occurring

The correct answer will be option-A

Explanation:

The process of aerobic respiration involves the complex process called cellular respiration which takes place inside the mitochondria.

The aerobic respiration is considered active respiration when it produces the ATP as a result of the utilization of the oxygen in the electron transport chain.

During electron transport chain, the flow of electrons causes the movement of the hydrogen ions from the inner mitochondrial matrix to the inter-membrane space which lowers the number of hydrogen ions in the matrix thus increasing the pH of the matrix compared to the intermembrane space.

This establishes a difference in the pH gradient across the mitochondrial membrane and thus cause the formation of the ATP molecules.

Thus, option-A is the correct answer.