Question

Which statement best explains the role of cristae in a mitochondrion?

(A) The cristae increase the surface area of the inner membrane relative to the volume of the intermembrane space to establish a larger proton gradient.
(B) The cristae allow a larger inner membrane to increase the volume of the matrix and enable more efficient accumulation of FADH₂.
(C) The cristae increase the surface area of the outer membrane to more efficiently import glucose into the mitochondrion.
(D) The cristae allow the matrix to be larger than the intermembrane space to promote more efficient glycolysis in the mitochondrion.

Answer 1

The cristae in mitochondria increase the inner membrane's surface area, facilitating a larger proton gradient for more efficient ATP synthesis through electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best explains the role of cristae in a mitochondrion is: (A) The cristae increase the surface area of the inner membrane relative to the volume of the intermembrane space to establish a larger proton gradient. The cristae are folds in the inner membrane of mitochondria which serve to increase the membrane's surface area. This is significant due to what takes place at the mitochondrial inner membrane. For instance, the electron transport chain and ATP synthesis occur here.

By increasing the surface area, cristae allow for more space for these processes, thus enhancing the mitochondrial capacity for ATP production. It is essential to understand that ATP generation is heavily reliant on the creation of a proton gradient, which is established across the inner mitochondrial membrane through the action of the electron transport chain. A larger membrane surface area due to the presence of cristae facilitates a larger area for proton pumps and other proteins involved in ATP synthesis, thereby increasing the efficiency and capacity of energy production.