Mitochondria

The Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.

In the mitochondria a series of complicated biochemical reactions occur causing energy to be released from food by the process of respiration (using oxygen).

The energy is in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which can then be used to drive other functions of the cell and also the organism.

The more active the cell, the more mitochondria there will be present.

For example a muscle cell would contain more mitochondria than say a fat storage cell.

Mitochondria are shaped perfectly to maximize their productivity.

They are made of two membranes:

The outer membrane covers the organelle and contains it like a skin. The inner membrane folds over many times and creates layered structures called cristae.

The fluid contained in the mitochondria is called the matrix.

Structure related to function:

The folding of the inner membrane increases the surface area inside the organelle. Since many of the chemical reactions happen on the inner membrane, the increased surface area creates more space for reactions to occur.

They also contain their on genetic material, so that when a cell divides they replicate themselves under the control of the nucleus.