Question

Does heme synthesis occur in the cytoplasm or mitochondria?

1) Cytoplasm
2) Mitochondria
3) Both cytoplasm and mitochondria
4) Neither cytoplasm nor mitochondria

Answer 1

Heme synthesis is a process that occurs in both the cytoplasm and mitochondria of the cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

Heme synthesis occurs in both the cytoplasm and the mitochondria. The first and last few steps of heme synthesis occur in the mitochondria, where succinyl-CoA and glycine come together to form δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which then moves to the cytoplasm for several intermediate steps. Finally, the synthesis completes back in the mitochondria where heme is fully synthesized. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 3) Both cytoplasm and mitochondria.