Question

All are true regarding mitochondrial DNA, EXCEPT ?

• A. Double stranded
• B. Inherited from mother
• C. High mutation rate
• D. All respiratory proteins are synthesized within mitochondria itself

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine which statement about mitochondrial DNA is false, let's examine each of the options:

• Double stranded: Mitochondrial DNA is indeed double-stranded, similar to nuclear DNA.
• Inherited from mother: It is well established that mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited.
• High mutation rate: Mitochondrial DNA does have a relatively high mutation rate compared to nuclear DNA due to its proximity to the electron transport chain, which generates reactive oxygen species.
• All respiratory proteins are synthesized within mitochondria itself: This statement is false. While mitochondria have their own machinery to synthesize proteins and encode some components of the electron transport chain, not all respiratory proteins are synthesized within mitochondria. The majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear DNA, synthesized in the cytoplasm, and imported into the mitochondria.

The correct answer is: All respiratory proteins are synthesized within mitochondria itself.