Aerobic respiration is performed by

UPPSC 2017

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell because they are the primary site for aerobic respiration.
Aerobic respiration is the process of breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy molecule for the cell.
Key stages of aerobic respiration, specifically the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, occur within the mitochondria.

Option A: Glyoxisomes are specialized peroxisomes that are not found in animal cells. Their main function is in the glyoxylate cycle, which converts fats into carbohydrates, particularly in germinating seeds of plants.
Option B: Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. They translate the genetic code from messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins. They are not involved in energy production.
Option C: Lysosomes are organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign invaders. They function as the cell's digestive and recycling system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Cellular Respiration and Organelle Function as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria. Since mitochondria produce energy for the cell, these diseases can affect various parts of the body, especially those with high energy demands like the brain, muscles, and heart, leading to conditions like myopathies and encephalopathies.
Understanding the function of ribosomes is crucial in pharmacology. Many antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines, macrolides) work by selectively inhibiting bacterial ribosomes, thereby stopping protein synthesis and killing the bacteria without harming human cells.
Lysosomal storage diseases, such as Tay-Sachs disease, are genetic disorders resulting from a deficiency of specific lysosomal enzymes, leading to the harmful accumulation of substances within cells.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key process in the question stem: 'Aerobic respiration'.
Recall the fundamental definition of aerobic respiration: the process of producing cellular energy (ATP) involving oxygen.
Systematically review the function of each organelle listed in the options.
Match the process (aerobic respiration) with the function of the organelle. Mitochondria are famously known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell, directly linking them to energy production.
Eliminate the other options by confirming their primary roles: Glyoxisomes (plant-specific fat conversion), Ribosomes (protein synthesis), and Lysosomes (waste digestion).
Conclude that Mitochondria is the only organelle listed that performs aerobic respiration.

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