Which of the following statements describes a feature shared by mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum that increases the ef
ficiency of their basic functions? A. They have rigid, non-fluid membranes.
B. They have highly folded membranes.
C. They have membranes composed of many carbohydrates.
D. They have double membranes, with one membrane enclosed within the other.
The answer is B. They have highly folded membranes.
Explanation:
A highly folded structure is advantageous for microscopic organelles such as the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. These organelles need to produce high amounts of ATP and proteins in a day, respectively.
For the endoplasmic reticulum, with ribosomes attached, it is responsible for the manufacturing, packaging, and transport of specific proteins. Same goes for the mitochondria, which is responsible for energy production and respiration. These processes are so demanding that in order to be more efficient in being productive, the highly folded membranes provide a wider and better surface area for synthesis of proteins or ATP, despite the size of these organelles.
