In liver cells, the inner mitochondrial membranes are about five times the area of the outer mitochondrial membranes. What purpose must this serve?
A) It allows for an increased rate of glycolysis.
B) It allows for an increased rate of the citric acid cycle.
C) It increases the surface for oxidative phosphorylation.
D) It increases the surface for substrate-level phosphorylation.
E) It allows the liver cell to have fewer mitochondria.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The inner mitochondrial membrane contains the machinery for oxidative phosphorylation, which generates ATP from the electron transport chain. The increased surface area allows for more of these reactions to occur, increasing the efficiency of energy production.

Answer: E
 This statement is incorrect because the increased surface area of the inner mitochondrial membrane does not necessarily mean that the liver cell has fewer mitochondria. It simply means that each mitochondrion has a larger surface area for oxidative phosphorylation.

In Liver Cells, the Inner Mitochondrial Membranes Are About Five