Mitochondriaare efficient
factories of ATP production. In an earlier science class, you
might have heard them called "the powerhouse of the cell."
Under aerobic conditions (lots of oxygen available), mitochondria
are the primary organelles for transferring the energy in
carbohydrates to ATP. Hundreds of thousands of mitochondria
occur in cells. They are the primary cellular sites for the recapture of energy from carbohydrates.
Mitochondria have two membranes, an inner
folded membrane (cristae) surrounded by a smooth outer
membrane. Inner and outer compartments formed by the
membranes are important in energy transformations. The fact
that mitochondria have their own DNA and some ribosomes has
led to a theory that they were once independent entities that became parasites of cells.
This animation (Audio - Important) reviews the various cell
organelles.
REVIEW: These contain enzymes used in the breakdown of glucose and generation of ATP.
