If a person adds benzidene to cells grown in a test tube. Within minutes, she see's the cells energy level fall and the metabolism in the cell comes to a stop. Which organelle does benzidene act upon?

A. Nucleus

B. Mitochondria

C. Endoplasmic Reticulum

D. Ribosome

B. Mitochondria

Explanation:

Mitochondria are known as the power house of the cell. They are the sites of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into energy molecules such as ATP and energy storage molecules such as NADH and FADH2. In this scenario, since the cell's energy levels fall and metabolism ceases, the organelle most likely affected is the mitochondria. If mitochondria are affected, glucose will not be metabolized to ATP and the cell will not have sufficient energy for cellular functions.