Metabolic compartmentalization is a recurring theme in macronutrient metabolism.
ID: 50688 • Letter: M
Question
Metabolic compartmentalization is a recurring theme in macronutrient metabolism. These compartmentalized pathways are important in limiting so-called “futile cycles”. Two of the most important cellular compartments we discuss are the cytosolic (or cytoplasmic) compartment and the mitochondrial compartment.
Questions
(A) Discuss the implications of skeletal muscle cells exhibiting a higher mitochondrial density than a fibroblast.
(B) What can you infer about differences in mitochondrial density between cells or tissues?
Explanation / Answer
1. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, they store energy and cell utilizes this energy for various purposes. Skeletal muscles need more energy for the purpose of muscle contraction, so they contain more mitochondria than a fibroblast does have.
2. Mitochondrial density is more in tossies and organs that perform labour work, these organs include heart, muscle, liver and brain. A red blood cell do not contain mitochondria at all, where it gets the enrgy from outside the cell. The mitochonrial density of liver, heart, kidney and skeletal muscle is very high, which was designed by evolution.