A scientist measures cellular ATP production after damaging the inner mitochondrial membrane with a detergent. ATP yield from glucose drops by ~90% even though glycolysis output is normal. The matrix and outer membrane appear intact under TEM.
The data are BEST explained by which fact about the inner membrane?
- A
It produces NADH from the citric acid cycle
- B
It synthesizes mitochondrial proteins from amino acids
- Ccheck_circle
It contains the electron transport chain and ATP synthase, generating most cellular ATP
- D
It is the only site of glucose metabolism
Explanation
The inner membrane (cristae) houses the electron transport chain and ATP synthase. Damaging it disrupts oxidative phosphorylation, the largest source of ATP.