Mitochondria/Oxidative Phosphorylation Flashcards
Describe the process of endosymbiosis.
- Prokaryote cell grows and evolves to form eukaryote.
- Plasma membrane forms infoldings and pinches parts to form membranes around organelles.
- Cell by chance engulfs aerobic bacterium.
- Formation of a eukaryote cell (aerobic bacterium -> mitochondria).
What are the consequences of mitochondria once being their own cells (aerobic bacterium)?
They have their own:
- Genome
- Biosynthetic machinery for making RNA and proteins.
How many genes are found in the mitochondria genome and what do they consist of?
37 genes in total:
2 rRNA
22 tRNA
12 protein-coding genes
There is also non-coding DNA.
During fertilisation, male mitochondria that are present in the fertilised egg are degraded. What does this mean?
All mitochondria in our bodies originate from our mothers.
Define fusion regarding mitochondria.
2 mitochondria come together to form a larger one.
Define fission regarding mitochondria.
Large mitochondria break down into two organelles.
Fission and fusion can have what effect on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies.
Increase/decrease.
When mtDNA is replicated, is it in synchrony with fission events or random?
Random.
Prior to fission, what happens to mtDNA?
mtDNA localise to the opposite poles to ensure they are incorporated into the new mitochondria during division.
What is mitochondrial biogenesis?
The increase in abundance of mitochondrial proteins, mtDNA and mitochondrial number.
Mitochondrial ribosomes are 55S. How is this divided between the large and small subunits?
39S = 16S rRNA and 50 proteins.
28S = 12S rRNA and 30 proteins.
The 55S refers to the size of a mitochondrial ribosome. What does the S stand for?
Svedberg unit.
The larger the number, the bigger the molecule/subunit.
What are the two translocases used in the process of making mitochondrial proteins?
TIM = translocase of the inner membrane TOM = translocase of the outer membrane
Describe the process of transporting mitochondrial proteins.
- Protein is escorted to mitochondria from the ribosome by chaperones.
- Signal sequence is recognised by a protein in the outer membrane (TOM).
- Binding of signal sequence pulls protein into mitochondria.
- Signal sequence is recognised by TIM.
- Both translocases pull the entire protein into the matrix.
- Protein reaches matrix and folds into its 3D structure.
What is the role of peptidases once a mitochondrial protein has entered the mitochondria via TOM and TIM?
Peptidases chop off the signal sequence, leaving the mature protein.