mitochondria

WHAT ARE MITOCHONDRIA? ~ Mitochondria are located in the cytoplasm. They are the organelles that can be considered the power generators of the cell. They convert oxygen and food molecules to ATP,powering the cell's metabolic activities. Mitochondria are enclosed by a double membrane with the inner membrane folded to allow for more surface are. Mitochondria are located in almost all eukaryotes.

WHAT DO MITOCHONDRIA LOOK LIKE? ~Mitochondria have two membranes. The outer membrane covers the mitochondria. Small ions and molecules can pass through and exit the outer membrane, but that is about it. ~The inner membrane folds many times (folds are called cristae). The cristae are important to the mitochondria because they create more suface are where chemical reactions take place. The enzymes and molecules responisble for making ATP are located in the inner membrane ~Sometimes old organelles need to be replaced with newer ones. This process is called autophagy. Mitochondria frequently go through this, and it is the lysosomes jobs to complete the job of replacing the old mitochondria with new ones.



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Sources: http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=bb9766a715acacf26faf http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_mito.html http://biology.about.com/library/weekly/aa040600a.htm