This makes sense but my question is that the molecules outside the mitochondria don't "know" that the concentration within the matrix is lower. Is it that the receptor is sensitive to concentration of pyruvate within the matrix, so that its activity depends on the intra-mitochondrial concentration?
Thinking out loud here but could it be that the affinity of the receptor depends on the extra-mitochondrial matrix regardless of within? Maybe affinity is the wrong word too, more like the increased probability of pyruvate binding to the receptor the higher the concentration.
user280102 t1_j15vf55 wrote
Reply to comment by hercola in How does pyruvate know to go to the mitochondria or to do the anaerobic reaction? by WeedCat1
This makes sense but my question is that the molecules outside the mitochondria don't "know" that the concentration within the matrix is lower. Is it that the receptor is sensitive to concentration of pyruvate within the matrix, so that its activity depends on the intra-mitochondrial concentration?
Thinking out loud here but could it be that the affinity of the receptor depends on the extra-mitochondrial matrix regardless of within? Maybe affinity is the wrong word too, more like the increased probability of pyruvate binding to the receptor the higher the concentration.