Class 11 · Respiration in Plants

Mitochondrial Location of Respiration — NEET Biology

✅ Asked in NEET 2024
📖 NCERT Source

What is interesting to note is that the first process takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria while the second process is located on the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

NCERT Biology · Class 11 · Chapter 12 · Paragraph 26
How NTA Uses This Concept

This concept tests whether students understand that cellular respiration involves two distinct locations within mitochondria. The first process (Krebs cycle/citric acid cycle) occurs in the matrix, while the second process (electron transport chain/oxidative phosphorylation) is embedded in the inner membrane. Students commonly confuse where these processes happen or think they all occur in one location. Remember: matrix = Krebs cycle (soluble enzymes), inner membrane = ETC and ATP synthase (membrane proteins). NEET frequently asks location-based questions to differentiate between students who memorize diagrams versus those who understand compartmentalization of cellular respiration.

Solve This NEET Question
QuestionNEET 2024

Match List-I with List-II: (NEET 2024) List-I: A. Citric Acid Cycle B. Glycolysis C. Electron Transport System D. Proton Gradient List-II: I. Cytoplasm II. Mitochondrial Matrix III. Intermembrane Space of Mitochondria IV. Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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