Multiple Choice
Which organelle is the primary site of cellular respiration (ATP production) in eukaryotic cells?
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11. Aerobic Respiration
Mitochondria
Multiple Choice
Why do muscle cells typically contain a high number of mitochondria compared with many other cell types?
A
They require mitochondria mainly to store calcium long-term as an inert mineral deposit.
B
They have a high demand for ATP to power repeated contraction, and mitochondria generate ATP primarily through oxidative phosphorylation.
C
They contain many mitochondria because mitochondria are the primary site of DNA replication in muscle cells.
D
They need many mitochondria to synthesize and secrete large amounts of extracellular matrix proteins.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the primary function of mitochondria in cells. Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell because they generate ATP, the main energy currency, through a process called oxidative phosphorylation.
Step 2: Consider the energy demands of muscle cells. Muscle cells perform repeated contractions, which require a large and continuous supply of ATP to fuel the contractile machinery (actin and myosin filaments).
Step 3: Recognize that because muscle cells have a high demand for ATP, they need more mitochondria to meet this energy requirement efficiently.
Step 4: Evaluate the incorrect options: storing calcium long-term, DNA replication, and extracellular matrix protein synthesis are not the primary reasons for the abundance of mitochondria in muscle cells.
Step 5: Conclude that the high number of mitochondria in muscle cells is directly related to their role in producing ATP to support sustained muscle contraction.
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