Question

If mitochondria extracted from cell are first placed in a buffer of ph8

Answer 1

In the cytoplasm the pH is 7.2. Therefore during isolation it is nesessary to maintain this pH. The best buffer is MOPS. The buffer capacity of Tris buffer is much lower at this pH. In addition, Tris may damage combination pH electrodes. If pH is too acids (6-6.5) ot too alkaline (around 8) this may damage mitochondria.