the structure of the mitochondrion

• mitochondria may be rod, thread or spherical in shape with diameters of 0.5 - 1 micrometers, and lengths of 2 - 5 micrometers, but occasionally up 10 to micrometers in length.
• all mitochondria have an inner and outer phospholipid membrane making up the envelope. the outer membrane is smooth and the inner membrane is folded into cristate / crista, to give the mitochondria a higher surface area.
• Embedded in the inner membrane are proteisn that transport electrons, and protein channels associated with ATP synthase enzyme that allows protons to diffuse through them.
• Between the inner and outer mitochondrial mebranes of the envelope is the intermembrane space.
• The mitochondrial matrix, enclosed by the inner membrane, is semi rigid and gel like; it contains mitochondrial ribosomes, looped mitochondrial DNA and enzymes for the link reaction and krebs cycle.