Question

Which of the following statements describes the mitochondrial intermembrane space?

(a)It is permeable to molecules with molecular mass as high as 5000 daltons.
(b)It contains transporters for ATP molecules.
(c)Itcontains proteins that are released during apoptosis.
(d)It contains enzymes required for the oxidation of fatty acids.

Answer 1

The mitochondrial intermembrane space contains proteins that are released during apoptosis, not enzymes for fatty acid oxidation or transporters for ATP molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement that describes the mitochondrial intermembrane space is (c) It contains proteins that are released during apoptosis. The intermembrane space is the region between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. Unlike the statement suggesting that it is permeable to molecules as large as 5000 daltons, this space is quite selective and primarily allows the passage of small ions and proteins through specific transporters. ATP transporters are actually located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, not the intermembrane space, thus ruling out option (b). Furthermore, while the enzymes for fatty acid oxidation are located in mitochondria, they are mainly found in the mitochondrial matrix and are associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane, not the intermembrane space as suggested by option (d).