SSC GD 2026 PYQ — Question 35

Correct Answer:

Two

Explanation:

A mitochondrion is a double-membrane-bound organelle found in the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells. It consists of an outer mitochondrial membrane and an inner mitochondrial membrane, which divide the mitochondrion into distinct compartments: the intermembrane space and the mitochondrial matrix.

Key Points:

The outer membrane is smooth and contains protein structures called porins, making it permeable to nutrient molecules, ions, and energy molecules.

The inner membrane is highly folded into structures known as cristae, which significantly increase the surface area for chemical reactions like oxidative phosphorylation.

Mitochondria are often referred to as the 'powerhouses of the cell' because they generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Important Questions and Answers:

Question: What are the folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane called?

Answer: Cristae.

Question: Which cellular process primarily takes place inside the mitochondria?

Answer: Cellular respiration (specifically the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation).