A research group has discovered an organism with cells that contain a previously undescribed organelle. They do some tests on the isolated organelle to see if it is involved in any major metabolic reactions. To do this, they incubate these organelles for a period of time and determine changes in the amount of various substances in the suspending solution. The results follow. $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | l | }
\hline \text { glucose } & \mathrm { CO } _ { 2 } & \mathrm { O } _ { 2 } & \mathrm { ATP } & \mathrm { NADH } \
\hline \text { no change } & \text { increase } & \text { no change } & \text { increase } & \text { increase } \
\hline
\end{array}$$ Based on this analysis, which metabolic process do you conclude is taking place in this organelle?

Question

A research group has discovered an organism with cells that contain a previously undescribed organelle. They do some tests on the isolated organelle to see if it is involved in any major metabolic reactions. To do this, they incubate these organelles for a period of time and determine changes in the amount of various substances in the suspending solution. The results follow. $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | l | } 
\hline \text { glucose } & \mathrm { CO } _ { 2 } & \mathrm { O } _ { 2 } & \mathrm { ATP } & \mathrm { NADH } \
\hline \text { no change } & \text { increase } & \text { no change } & \text { increase } & \text { increase } \
\hline
\end{array}$$ Based on this analysis, which metabolic process do you conclude is taking place in this organelle?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The increase in CO2, ATP, and NADH without a change in glucose or O2 levels suggests the citric acid cycle is occurring, as it produces these molecules without directly consuming glucose or oxygen.

A Research Group Has Discovered an Organism with Cells That