Final answer:
The compounds consumed as fuel within mitochondria are:
a. Pyruvate
c. Glucose
d. Acetyl CoA
e. Fatty acids
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell, where cellular respiration occurs to produce energy in the form of ATP. Various compounds serve as fuel sources within the mitochondria. Pyruvate, derived from the breakdown of glucose during glycolysis, enters the mitochondria to undergo further processing in the Krebs cycle.
Glucose itself is broken down to produce pyruvate and subsequently enters the mitochondria for energy production. Acetyl CoA, formed from the breakdown of pyruvate, is a key molecule in the Krebs cycle, contributing to ATP generation.
Additionally, fatty acids, obtained from the breakdown of fats, are another crucial source of fuel that undergo beta-oxidation to form acetyl CoA, which also feeds into the Krebs cycle for ATP production.