Explain the increase in respiration caused by 2,4-dinitrophenol, a proton ionophore that can ferry protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Explain the mechanism by which the availability of ADP can affect the rate of oxidation of metabolic fuels such as acetyl-CoA. b. The energy stored in the electrochemical proton gradient is also used to transport ATP, metabolites, and inorganic ions into the matrix space. Describe how the electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane is used to drive phosphate and pyruvate import into the mitochondrial matrix. Explain how the electrochemical gradient is used to drive ADP-ATP exchange across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Mitochondria contain a complete genetic system.
Compare mitochondrial and nuclear genetic systems with respect to size of genome, organization of genes, number of chromosome copies, and genetic code. Compare the inheritance of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. With reference to Fig. 14-68, explain the fate of a population of mitochondria that contain a mixture of a mutant and normal gene following the many cycles of somatic cell replication that occur during embryogenesis. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.