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Chapter 9: Problem 12

Explain the concept that in high-performance muscle cells, mitochondria and contractile elements compete for space over scales of evolutionary time.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In high-performance muscle cells, mitochondria and contractile elements compete for space over evolutionary timescales. This competition arises due to the limited space within a cell and differing functional priorities. Mitochondria generate energy, while contractile elements enable muscle contractions. Depending on the energy requirement and need for muscle contraction, these elements continue to compete for more space in the cell, as visible in real-world examples like birds.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding mitochondria and contractile elements

Firstly, grasp the concept of mitochondria and contractile elements. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's main source of energy. On the other hand, contractile elements are composed of protein fibers that enable the muscle to contract and generate force.
02

Concept of space within the cell

Next, consider the finite space within the cell. Cellular components must compete for space due to limited availability. The muscle cells tend to allocate space based on which component's function is most vital to the cell's survival and functionality.
03

Evolutionary competition for space

This competition for space in muscle cells isn't just happening in the present day,it鈥檚 been ongoing over scales of evolutionary time. In high-performance muscle cells, the need for ATP is high to perform muscle contractions. Thus, the cell might have evolved to accommodate more mitochondria to meet this energy demand. On the other hand, to generate more force, the muscle would need more contractile elements. Therefore, the scarcity of space leads to continuous competition between these functional elements.
04

Real World Examples

An example of this competition is visible in birds, who simultaneously require high-power muscle contractions for flight and significant amounts of energy. Biologists have observed that bird muscle cells hold a large number of mitochondria to meet high energy demands, which indicates that over evolutionary time, there has been a competition for space within their muscle cells.

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