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Question #46134
The Question
A marine invertebrate exhibiting tissue-level organization and possessing eight external rows of ciliated comb plates suffers a genetic mutation that severely impairs its mitochondrial electron transport chain. Consequently, its cells are forced to rely entirely on anaerobic glycolysis. Which of the following represents the most direct physiological consequence of this metabolic shift on the organism's locomotion?
Options
- A.
Complete paralysis of the comb plates, as the low ATP yield from glycolysis cannot sustain the dynein-mediated sliding of axonemal microtubules.
- B.
Uninterrupted locomotion, because eukaryotic ciliary movement is directly driven by the proton-motive force rather than ATP hydrolysis.
- C.
A compensatory increase in ciliary beat frequency to offset the reduced ATP production from the impaired mitochondria.
- D.
Structural degradation of the 9+2 axonemal arrangement due to the rapid accumulation of lactic acid from anaerobic respiration.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Ctenophora Locomotion|Mitochondrial Endosymbiotic Evidence|Glycolysis Redox Balance
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Linking macroscopic locomotion in Ctenophores (Animal Kingdom) directly to sub-cellular mitochondrial ATP output and axonemal dynein mechanics (Cell Biology).
Common Misconception: Students often confuse the energy sources of eukaryotic cilia (ATP-dependent) with prokaryotic flagella (Proton Motive Force-dependent), or fail to realize that the low ATP yield of anaerobic glycolysis is insufficient to sustain high-frequency motor protein activity.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Animal Kingdom - Class 11 |
| Concept | Ctenophora Locomotion |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |