Protons are the most common coupling ions in bacterial energy conversions. However, while many organisms, such as the alkaliphilic Bacilli, employ H+‐bioenergetics for electron transport phosphorylation, they use Na+ as the coupling ion for transport and flagellar movement. The Na+ gradient required for these bioenergetic functions is established by the secondary Na+/H+ antiporter. In contrast, Vibrio alginolyticus and methanogenic bacteria have primary pumps for both H+ and Na+. They use the proton gradient for ATP synthesis while other, less energy‐consuming membrane (...) reactions are powered by the Na+ gradient. In a third mode, some anaerobic bacteria possess decarboxylases acting as primary Na+ pumps. For instance, in Klebsiella pneumoniae, the Na+ gradient established by oxaloacetate decarboxylase is used for the uptake of the growth substrate citrate, and Propionigenium modestum consumes the energy of the Na+ gradient formed by methylmalonyl‐CoA decarboxylase directly for ATP synthesis. (shrink)