[Campbell Biology P.36] The internal membranes of eukaryotic cells serve to compartmentaliz... | Practice Question

The internal membranes of eukaryotic cells serve to compartmentalize functions. Based on this principle, which of the following scenarios would best illustrate the advantage of such compartmentalization?

  • A: A bacterium efficiently performing all metabolic reactions in its cytoplasm.
  • B: A plant cell's chloroplasts specializing in photosynthesis, separate from the mitochondria's respiration.
  • C: A red blood cell, lacking a nucleus and mitochondria, efficiently carrying oxygen.
  • D: A yeast cell performing fermentation in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Explanation

CONCEPT 6.2 states that 'Eukaryotic cells have internal membranes that compartmentalize their functions'. The presence of specialized organelles like chloroplasts for photosynthesis, CONCEPT 6.5 and mitochondria for cellular respiration, CONCEPT 6.5 within a plant cell, each with its own internal membrane system, is a prime example of how compartmentalization allows for different metabolic processes to occur simultaneously and efficiently without interference.