Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The cells of which two eukaryotic groups have modified mitochondria?
A
Euglenozoans and Alveolates
B
Plants and Fungi
C
Diplomonads and Parabasalids
D
Animals and Amoebozoans
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context: Mitochondria are organelles responsible for energy production in eukaryotic cells. Some eukaryotic groups have modified or reduced mitochondria due to adaptations to specific environments or lifestyles.
Identify the groups in question: Diplomonads and Parabasalids are two eukaryotic groups known to have modified mitochondria. These modifications are often due to their anaerobic (low oxygen) environments.
Explain the modifications: Diplomonads have mitosomes, which are highly reduced forms of mitochondria that lack the ability to perform oxidative phosphorylation. Parabasalids have hydrogenosomes, which are modified mitochondria that produce hydrogen gas as a byproduct of energy metabolism.
Compare with other groups: Euglenozoans and Alveolates, Plants and Fungi, and Animals and Amoebozoans all have typical mitochondria that perform oxidative phosphorylation, making them distinct from Diplomonads and Parabasalids.
Conclude: The correct answer is Diplomonads and Parabasalids because they are the eukaryotic groups with modified mitochondria adapted to anaerobic conditions.