L15A&B: Mitochondria - Metabolic Hubs in Health & Disease

Question 1

how many genes in mitochondria encode subunits of respiratory chain complexes

Answer 1

13

Question 2

what part of mitochondrial inner membrane contains multiple copies of respiratory chain & ATP synthase

Answer 2

cristae - invaginations of the inner membrane

Question 3

what are the multiple transporter proteins for in the inner membrane

Answer 3

carnitine

Question 4

mitochondrial matrix contains many catabolic enzyme systems for what

Answer 4

e.g: for citric acid cycle, beta oxidation, pyruvate dehydrogenase & for amino acid metabolism

Question 5

what are mitochondria constantly doing

Answer 5

dividing (fission) & coming together (fusion)

Question 6

mitochondrial function is linked to which diseases

Answer 6

neurodegeneration
cancer
heart disease
diabetes

Question 7

what can mitochondria produce

Answer 7

reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Question 8

when can ROS be overproduced

Answer 8

if e- transport not correctly coupled to ATP production & O2 consumption

Question 9

how can ROS be bad

Answer 9

• bind to proteins/enzymes causing them to malfunction
• cause oxidative stress -> defective mitochondrial function -> defective cell fucntion -> cell death

Question 10

what is released from mitochondra that activates a signalling pathway to induce apoptosis

Answer 10

Cytochrome C

Question 11

how can pathogens promote infection using mitochondria

Answer 11

manipulate mitochondrial metabolism & OXPHOS to promote infection

Question 12

what is impaired in cases of neurodegeneration - Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s

Answer 12

Complex 1 activity & ATP synthase