3 The Mitochondria 2023

What is the main site of cellular respiration for eukaryotes?

The Mitochondrion.

What processes occur in the mitochondrion?

Pyruvate Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, Electron Transport.

What is the primary function of mitochondria?

To generate most of the ATP that is used by the cell.

Describe the structure of mitochondria.

It is composed of two membranes: Outer Membrane and Inner Membrane.

What is located in the intermembrane space of mitochondria?

The space between the inner and outer membranes.

Why do prokaryotes lack mitochondria?

They are simple, single-celled organisms and undergo cellular respiration without mitochondria.

What processes occur in the cytosol of prokaryotes?

Glycolysis, Pyruvate oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle.

Where does electron transport occur in prokaryotes?

In the plasma membrane.

What is aerobic cellular respiration?

A metabolic process whereby energy is extracted from food in the presence of oxygen to synthesize ATP.

What do ATP molecules supply to the cells?

Energy for processes that require it.

What are obligate aerobes?

Eukaryotes that cannot live without oxygen and use aerobic respiration most of the time.

What are the two ways ATP is formed in aerobic respiration?

Substrate Level Phosphorylation and Oxidative Phosphorylation.

What is substrate level phosphorylation?

Forms ATP directly from enzyme-catalyzed reactions through the transfer of a phosphate group to ADP.

What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Forms ATP indirectly through a series of redox reactions involving a final electron acceptor.

What characterizes anaerobic cellular respiration?

Uses an inorganic molecule as the final oxidizing agent instead of oxygen.

What is fermentation?

A process that does not use an electron transport system.

What types of organisms use anaerobic respiration?

Organisms that live in environments with little to no oxygen.

How many membranes do mitochondria have?

Two membranes.

What is the role of ATP synthase in mitochondria?

To synthesize ATP.

What is the matrix of the mitochondrion?

The space inside the inner membrane that contains enzymes for the citric acid cycle.

What is the outer membrane of mitochondria?

The outermost membrane that encloses the entire organelle.

What are cristae?

Folded inner membrane structures that increase surface area for ATP production.

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Aerobic uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor, while anaerobic uses an inorganic molecule.

Why is cellular respiration important?

It extracts energy from food to power cellular processes.

What does ADP stand for?

Adenosine diphosphate.

What does Pi stand for in cellular respiration?

Inorganic phosphate.

How do eukaryotes primarily obtain energy?

Through aerobic respiration.

What kind of processes are glycolysis and the citric acid cycle classified as?

Catabolic processes.

What are ribosomes in mitochondria responsible for?

Protein synthesis within the mitochondrion.

What is unique about mitochondrial DNA?

It is inherited maternally and is distinct from nuclear DNA.

Which part of the mitochondrion is involved in ATP production?

The inner membrane.

What is the significance of the intermembrane space?

It is critical for establishing a proton gradient used in ATP synthesis.

How does anaerobic respiration benefit certain organisms?

It allows them to generate energy in low-oxygen environments.

What is the function of the inner membrane's folds?

To increase surface area for chemical reactions.

What are the by-products of aerobic respiration?

Carbon dioxide and water.

What type of reaction occurs during the electron transport chain?

Redox reactions.

What is a key feature of ALL living cells in relation to energy?

They must have a source of energy to perform metabolic activities.

How are the processes of glycolysis and citric acid cycle related?

Glycolysis produces pyruvate, which enters the citric acid cycle for further energy extraction.