Biology · Cell Structure and Function
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Which cell does not carry out oxidative phosphorylation?
- A
Nerve cell
- B
Cardiac cell
- C
Red blood cell
- D
None of above
Red blood cells lack mitochondria and are therefore unable to carry out oxidative phosphorylation.
Oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria produces ATP by using oxygen to drive the electron transport chain. This ATP is essential for neuronal activity, as it fuels processes like action potential propagation and neurotransmitter release under normal oxygen levels.
Cardiac cells, like other muscle cells, have high energy demands due to their continuous contraction and relaxation to pump blood. Therefore, they heavily rely on oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP efficiently and meet their energy needs.
Red blood cells do not carry out oxidative phosphorylation. Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, lack mitochondria, which are the cellular organelles responsible for oxidative phosphorylation. As a result, red blood cells primarily rely on anaerobic glycolysis to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This glycolytic pathway allows them to generate ATP without the need for oxygen or mitochondria.
Red blood cells lack mitochondria, so they cannot perform oxidative phosphorylation. Instead, they generate ATP through anaerobic glycolysis to meet their energy needs.
Tagged under Biology · Cell Structure and Function · 2015