Deck 9: Damage to Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Activities

Question 1

What does the release of cytochrome c by mitochondria start?

Answer 1

It stimulates the formation of apoptosome and caspase 3 activation leading to apoptosis.

Question 2

What is the mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential?

Answer 2

This potential is critical to mitochondrial energy production function and may be disrupted by changes in energy functions, protein synthesis inhibition, or mitochondrial DNA damage. Mitochondrial DNA is more subject to damage than nuclear DNA based on its lack of structural integrity.

Question 3

What do cyanide and carbon monoxide toxicity share in common?

Answer 3

The inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase which prevents oxidative phosphorylation.

Question 4

What do mammals and plant mitochondria share in common?

Question 5

What role does the transmembrane electrochemical proton gradient play in chloroplast ATP synthesis?