4.7.5 - Mitochondria

• ATP

  • Represents the short term stored energy of the cell
  • Cellular respiration is the process of making ATP using the chemical energy found in glucose and other nutrients
  • In mitochondria this process uses oxygen and carbon dioxide is produced as a by product
• Mitochondria in muscle cells

  • Muscle cells have high concentrations of mitochondria producing ATP
  • This is because muscle cells need a lot of energy in order to keep the body moving, so cellular respiration happens in these cells
• Mitochondria: Double membrane

  • Mitochondria are oval-shaped organelles which have their own ribosomes, DNA and a double membrane
  • Each membrane is a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins
  • The space between the membranes is called the intermembrane space
• Mitochondria: Inner membrane

  • The inner membrane contains folds called cristae, which increase its surface area
  • It is important because ATP synthesis takes place on the inner membrane
  • The space inside the inner membrane is called the matrix and contains mDNA