AP BIOLOGY

THE CELL

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE CELL

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Why is the double membrane of mitochondria and chloroplast important for their functions?
A
It provides an extra layer of protection from their environment
B
It allows for easier synthesis of proteins
C
It allows the organelles to reproduce on their own
D
It increases the surface area available to perform their processes
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Mitochondrion possesses double membrane as its covering. The outer smooth surface and the inner membrane forms infoldings called as cristae, which increases surface area for more formation of energy in the form of ATP.

Detailed explanation-2: -The main purpose of having a double membrane is to regulate what enters and exits the chloroplast.

Detailed explanation-3: -The reason mitochondrial membranes need a high surface area is because the process of using oxygen to make energy is carried out on this membrane. The larger the surface area of this membrane, the more room for the membrane-bound cellular machinery that uses oxygen to make energy.

Detailed explanation-4: -The outer membrane of the chloroplast envelope, like that of mitochondria, contains porins and is therefore freely permeable to small molecules. In contrast, the inner membrane is impermeable to ions and metabolites, which are therefore able to enter chloroplasts only via specific membrane transporters.

Detailed explanation-5: -The mitochondria are suspended in the jelly-like cytosol of the cell. They are oval-shaped and have two membranes: an outer one, surrounding the whole organelle, and an inner one, with many inward protrusions called cristae that increase surface area.

There is 1 question to complete.