Question

The muscle cells of a basketball player are examined after an injury that required her to be placed on the injured list. Muscle cells require a lot of energy to function. The number of organelles in her cells are counted. Which of the following findings are most likely to occur after 6 months of required rest and inactivity?

Answer 1

D) The number of mitochondria has decreased due to long period of rest

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell organelles perform various functions in a cell. For example, the nucleus contains the genetic material of the cell, the ribosome function in protein synthesis, the mitochondria is the site for ATP synthesis, etc.

An athlete such as a basketball player requires a lot of energy for his/her activities. This energy is provided through the contraction and relaxing of muscle fibres. The mitochondria, the cell organelle required for energy synthesis will be present in very large numbers in the athlete's muscle cells in order to provide him/her with the required energy.

However, in the case of an injured athlete who has been out of action for 6 months, there would be a reduction in the number of mitochondria in the muscles due to this long period of inactivity.

Therefore, the correct option is D; The number of mitochondria has decreased due to long period of rest.