The mitochondrion is responsible for
a.
producing glucose from sunlight
c.
converting glucose into usable energy
b.
burning up old cell parts
d.
burning usable energy
http://www.newcastle-mitochondria.com/mitochondria/what-do-mitochondria-do/
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The correct answer is c. converting glucose into usable energy. The mitochondrion is often referred to as the "powerhouse of the cell" because it is responsible for producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). To understand why the mitochondrion is responsible for converting glucose into usable energy, we can break down the process into two steps: glucose metabolism and ATP production.
1. Glucose metabolism: Glucose is a simple sugar molecule obtained from the food we eat. It serves as the main source of energy for our cells. To convert glucose into usable energy, it undergoes a series of chemical reactions in a process called cellular respiration.
2. ATP production: During cellular respiration, glucose is broken down, releasing energy. This energy is used to generate ATP, which is the primary energy currency of the cell. ATP provides energy for various cellular processes, such as muscle contraction, DNA replication, and protein synthesis.
The mitochondrion plays a critical role in both steps of this process. It houses enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of glucose through a series of metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. As a result of these metabolic reactions, energy-rich molecules like NADH and FADH2 are produced.
These energy-rich molecules then enter the electron transport chain located in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. During this process, the energy from the NADH and FADH2 molecules is used to pump protons (H+) across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient. This gradient drives the production of ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation.
In summary, the mitochondrion is responsible for converting glucose into usable energy by facilitating glucose metabolism and ATP production through cellular respiration.