Researchers conducted a study concerning cellular transport in animal cells affected by mitochondrial disease. The disease affects an organism's ability to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). During their study, which method of cellular transport still functioned in the affected animal cells?

Question

a. Simple diffusion
b. Pinocytosis
c. Phagocytosis
d. Active transport

Answer 1

In the context of mitochondrial disease affecting ATP production, the method of cellular transport that would still function in the affected animal cells is a. Simple diffusion.

Simple diffusion does not require energy (ATP) as it relies on the concentration gradient for movement across the cell membrane. In contrast, pinocytosis, phagocytosis, and active transport all require energy to move substances across cellular membranes, which would be impaired in cells with mitochondrial diseases due to a lack of ATP.