Question

Mitochondria are called powerhouses of the cell. Which of the following observations supports this statement?
(a) Mitochondria generate ATP
(b) Mitochondria have a double membrane
(c) The enzyme of Kreb cycle and cytochromes are found in mitochondria
(d) Mitochondria are found in almost all kingdoms of plants and animals

Answer 1

Hint: Metabolism of glucose produces an energy carrier molecule that is synthesized by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria.

Complete step by step answer:
ATP stands for Adenosine triphosphate. It is produced when a phosphate molecule is added to the adenosine diphosphate it becomes adenosine triphosphate. This process is called phosphorylation. If this process occurs in the presence of oxygen it is called oxidative phosphorylation. Most of the ATP is synthesized via oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, hence they are called powerhouses of the cell.

So, the correct answer is 'mitochondria generate ATP'.

Additional information:
- Mitochondria contain two major membranes. The outer mitochondrial membrane and inner mitochondrial membrane.
- It has a small intermembrane space between the membranes. The outer membrane has many protein- based pores that are big enough to allow the passage of ions and molecules which are almost in the size of small proteins.
- The inner membrane has restricted permeability, like the plasma membrane of a cell. 4.The inner membrane is also loaded with proteins involved in electron transport and ATP synthesis.
- Inner membrane surrounds the mitochondrial matrix, where the citric acid cycle produces the electrons.
- They travel from one protein complex to the next in the inner membrane.
- At the end of this electron transport chain, the final electron acceptor is oxygen which ultimately forms water. At the same time, the electron transport chain produces ATP. (So, this process is called oxidative phosphorylation).
- During electron transport, protein complexes push protons from the matrix out to the intermembrane space. This creates a concentration gradient of protons that forms another protein complex, called ATP synthase, used to power synthesis of ATP.

Note:
- Mitochondria can divide independently of the cell cycle by simple fission.
- Mitochondrial genome has a similarity to its prokaryotic ancestor and its RNA also closely related to bacterial RNA than eukaryotic RNA.