Respiration — practice question

Using Fig. 1.1, identify: the type of membrane transport protein shown at A; process B; region C.

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), shown in Fig. 1.1, enables pyruvate to move into the mitochondrial matrix. Once pyruvate has entered the mitochondrial matrix, it is involved in the link reaction. Describe the link reaction.

Some tumour cells have a much lower capacity to move pyruvate into the matrix of the mitochondrion. Suggest how a reduction in pyruvate transport could affect respiration in these tumour cells.