Respiration

Question 1

How have the structures of the mitochondria adapted for aerobic respiration?

Answer 1

Outer membrane - Contains transport proteins to transport molecules into intermembrane space.

Intermembrane space - Enclosed by inner and outer membrane to allow build up of hydrogen ions to form proton gradient.

Inner membrane - cristae to increase SA to V ratio for attachment of electron carriers and ATP Synthase to increase efficiency of OP.
Impermeable to protons to allow maintenance of proton gradient.
Contains chain of electron carriers that release energy in the form of proton gradient.

Matrix - Contains circular dsDNA and ribosome
Contains enzymes and suitable pH for Krebs Cycle.

Question 2

Glycolysis

Answer 2

Energy Investment Phase

1. Phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate using ATP , catalyzed by hexokinase. This is to increase energy levels of glucose and maintain steep concentration of glucose to continue diffusing into cells.
2. Isomerisation of glucose-6-phosphate to form fructose-6-phosphate.
3. Phosphorylation of fructose-6-phosphate to form fructose-1,6-phosphate using ATP , catalysed by phosphofructokinase.
   PFK is an allosteric enzyme that gets inhibited by excess ATP , end-product inhibition.
4. Cleavage of fructose-1,6-phosphate to form glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate.
5. Isomerisation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to form G3P