Mitochondria: The Power House Of The Cell

363 Words2 Pages
Mitochondria: The Power House of the Cell The mitochondria are the power house of the cell. They convert oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate or ATP. ATP is the source of energy in the cell, fueling its metabolic activities. This process is known as aerobic respiration. This process is the reason animals require oxygen. It is also more efficient that anaerobic respiration. The mitochondria is able to produce more ATP than anaerobic respiration. The reason behind this is the mitochondrion’s structure. The matrix has many different enzymes, ribosomes and the mitochondrion’s DNA. The enzymes found in the matrix helps with some the steps of cellular respiration. The proteins that function in cellular respiration are built into the inner membrane. With the inner membranes’s numerous folds, it gives the mitochondrion a larger surface area, leading to more ATP. The oxidation in the Citric Acid Cycle produces cofactors that are the source of electrons needed for the Electron Transport Chain. This process forms NADH. Through the Electron Transport Chain, electrons are passed from one molecule to another. The energy released from each step in the Electron Transport Chain is used to make ATP from ADP. This form of energy synthesis is known as oxidative phosphorylation. In the cell, oxidative phosphorylation accounts for ninety percent of the ATP produced by aerobic respiration. The ATP is created in the mitochondrion’s matrix, but the process starts in the cytosol. In the cytosol, the glucose, pyruvate, and NADH are created. These are then oxidized in the mitochondrion’s matrix. Once the pyruvate is oxidized, it becomes Acetyl CoA, which then enters the Citric Acid Cycle. In the Citric Acid Cycle, the breakdown of glucose is carried out and turned into carbon dioxide. Glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and water. For every glucose molecule broken

More about Mitochondria: The Power House Of The Cell

Open Document