Mitochondria: The Power-House Of The Cell

Mitochondria: The Power-House Of The Cell

Write a short note on mitochondria.
Answer.

• The mitochondria are sausage-shaped double membrane-bound cell organelles present in the cell cytoplasm.
• They are called powerhouses of the cell because they generate energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Each mitochondrion is made up of two parallel membranes, which are structurally similar to the plasma membrane.

“Best Ways To Understand Mitochondrial Function”

“Importance Of Mitochondria In Energy Production”

Read And Learn More: Selective Anatomy Notes And Question And Answers

• The outer membrane is continuous.
• The inner membrane is arranged in a series of folds called cristae.
• The inner membrane encloses the mitochondrial matrix, which contains mitochondrial DNA.

“Understanding The Role Of Mitochondria In Energy Production”

Significance

• The metabolites of cells are utilized by the mitochondria and form a high-energy substance – ATP. The ATP is then utilized for the activity of the cell.
• The number of mitochondria is very high in metabolically active cells, i.e. liver cells/hepatocytes contain about 2500 mitochondria per cell; in sperm, the mitochondria are clustered around its middle piece; and in ciliated cells, the mitochondria are located in the apical portion of the cell just below the cilia.