Question

What is the benefit of the folding of the mitochondrial inner membrane and the presence of many individual chloroplast thylakoids to a cell carrying out chemical reactions?

1) Increased surface area for embedded enzymes
2) Higher density of enzymes
3) More efficient production of ATP
4) All of the above

Answer 1

The folding of the mitochondrial inner membrane and the presence of thylakoids in chloroplasts increase surface area for enzymes, allow for a higher density of enzymes, and enable more efficient ATP production, enhancing energy-producing reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The benefit of the folding of the mitochondrial inner membrane and the presence of many individual chloroplast thylakoids to a cell carrying out chemical reactions includes a combination of factors: 1) Increased surface area for embedded enzymes, 2) A higher density of enzymes, and 3) More efficient production of ATP. Each of these contribute to the enhanced capability of the cell to carry out its energy-producing reactions effectively. The inner membrane of the mitochondria has folds known as cristae, which significantly increase the surface area available for the enzyme-catalyzed reactions involved in cellular respiration. Similarly, the thylakoid membranes within chloroplasts facilitate photosynthesis by housing necessary components such as photosystems and enzymes like NAD+ reductase. With more surface area, a higher concentration of enzymes can exist, and therefore, the processes of ATP production in both photosynthesis and cellular respiration become more efficient.