After disrupting mitochondria with ultrasound it is possible to isolate function

Question

After disrupting mitochondria with ultrasound 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. You begin you experiment by isolating submitochondrial particles under anaerobic condition. Then you add a small, defined amount of oxygen to these particles, and immediately start monitoring oxygen level and pH in the medium outside the particles. For the condition listed below, state: 1) whether oxygen level will rise, fall, or remain constant, and 2) whether pH in the medium will rise, fall, or remain constant.

Condion A: no inhitors were added to the particles (normal condition)
Condition B: uncoupling agent was added to the particles.
Condition C: inhibitor of ATP synthase was added to the particles
Condition D: inhibitor of electron transport chain was added to the particles.

Explain your answers.

I got this question wrong on my exam, The instructor did not explain to us, nor did he tell us the answer to this problem. Can someone please answer the question for me. Answering whether oxygen level will rise, fall, remain constant for the 4 condition. Also whether the pH in the medium will rise, fall or remain constant for the 4 condition. And please explain your answer. Thank you.

Explanation / Answer

Condition A: 1.Oxygen levels will fall as the mitochondrial particles will start the process of respiration 2. pH will rise as H+ ions are transported through the ETC. Condition B: 1. Oxygen levels will fall as the mitochondrial particles will start the process of respiration 2. pH will fall as the uncoupling agent dissipates the proton gradient Condition C: 1. Oxygen levels will fall as the mitochondrial particles will start the process of respiration 2. pH will increase as the inhibitor of ATP synthase prevents the addition of H+ to oxygen to form water. Condition D: 1. Oxygen levels remain constant as the inhibitor prevents the electron transport chain and its uptake of oxygen 2. pH in the medium will remain constant as there is no transport of H+ ions through the electron transport chain. 1. Oxygen levels will fall as the mitochondrial particles will start the process of respiration 2. pH will increase as the inhibitor of ATP synthase prevents the addition of H+ to oxygen to form water. Condition D: 1. Oxygen levels remain constant as the inhibitor prevents the electron transport chain and its uptake of oxygen 2. pH in the medium will remain constant as there is no transport of H+ ions through the electron transport chain.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.