The Respiratory Chain Is Relatively Inaccessible in the Experimental Manipulation

question 68

Essay

The respiratory chain is relatively inaccessible in the experimental manipulation of intact mitochondria.After disrupting mitochondria with ultrasound, however, it is possible to isolate functional submitochondrial particles, which consist of broken cristae that have resealed inside-out into small, closed vesicles.In these vesicles, the components that originally faced the matrix are now exposed to the surrounding medium.
A.How might such an arrangement aid in the study of electron transport and ATP synthesis?
B.Consider an anaerobic preparation of such submitochondrial particles.If a small amount of oxygen is added, do you predict that the preparation will consume oxygen in respiration reactions? Will the medium outside the particles become more acidic or more basic? What, if anything, will change if the flow of protons through ATP synthase is blocked by an inhibitor? Explain your answer.

---

Definitions:

Filing Process

The methodical system of organizing and storing documents, records, or information for easy retrieval and maintenance.

Proper Places

Suitable or appropriate locations for people or things.

Misplaced File

A document or electronic file that is not in its correct or designated location, potentially leading to inefficiency or loss of information.

Reconstruct

To rebuild something that has been damaged or destroyed back to its original state.