what is the name of the process that happens in the matrix of the mitochondrion?
What is the name of the process that happens last in cellular respiration and takes place on the inner membrane?
The name of the process that happens in the matrix of the mitochondrion is called the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle.
To find the answer, you can first understand the basic anatomy of a mitochondrion. The mitochondrion is a double-membraned organelle found in eukaryotic cells and is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. The inner membrane of the mitochondrion contains various proteins and enzymes that facilitate the production of ATP.
Next, you can explore the process of cellular respiration, which is a series of metabolic reactions occurring in cells to convert nutrients into ATP. Cellular respiration consists of three main stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
During the citric acid cycle, the breakdown of glucose continues as pyruvate molecules from glycolysis are transported into the mitochondrion. The citric acid cycle occurs in the matrix, which is the central compartment of the mitochondrion. This cycle involves a series of chemical reactions where pyruvate is broken down and converted into energy-rich molecules like NADH and FADH2.
Now, let's address the second part of your question. The process that happens last in cellular respiration and takes place on the inner membrane of the mitochondrion is called oxidative phosphorylation.
To understand oxidative phosphorylation, it's important to know that it happens on the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, where electron transport chains and ATP synthase are located. During this process, the high-energy molecules NADH and FADH2, produced in the citric acid cycle and earlier stages of cellular respiration, donate their electrons to the electron transport chain. These electrons pass through a series of protein complexes in the inner membrane, creating a flow of protons (H+) across the membrane.
The flow of protons creates an electrochemical gradient, which is then harnessed by ATP synthase to produce ATP. This process of ATP synthesis driven by the movement of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane is known as oxidative phosphorylation.
In summary, the process that happens in the matrix of the mitochondrion is the citric acid cycle, while the process that happens last in cellular respiration and takes place on the inner membrane is oxidative phosphorylation.