A Mitochondrion in a Cell Undergoing Cellular Respiration Would

Question

A mitochondrion in a cell undergoing cellular respiration would
A)have a higher concentration of oxygen than the surrounding cytosol.
B)lose oxygen by diffusion.
C)lose carbon dioxide by diffusion.
D)gain oxygen by being in direct contact with hemoglobin.

Accepted Answer

During cellular respiration, the mitochondrion produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. This carbon dioxide diffuses out of the mitochondrion and into the surrounding cytosol, which then diffuses out of the cell. Therefore, the mitochondrion would lose carbon dioxide by diffusion. Option A is incorrect because the mitochondrion would have a lower concentration of oxygen than the surrounding cytosol because it uses oxygen to produce energy. Option B is incorrect because there is no significant concentration gradient for oxygen to move out of the mitochondrion. Option D is incorrect because mitochondria are not capable of interacting directly with hemoglobin.