Mitochondria Structure and Function

Mitochondria

Structure

• Double membrane-bound organelle
• Outer membrane: permeable, allows certain substances to pass through
• Inner membrane: impermeable, folded into cristae to increase surface area
• Inter membrane space: region between outer and inner membranes
• Matrix: innermost region, site of citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation

Function

• Energy production: generate most of cell's ATP through cellular respiration
• Aerobic respiration: break down glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP
• Cell signaling: involved in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis
• Ion regulation: regulate ion concentrations, especially calcium, within the cell

Dynamics

• Mitochondrial dynamics: mitochondria can divide, fuse, and move within the cell
• Mitophagy: process of mitochondrial degradation and recycling
• Mitochondrial motility: movement of mitochondria along microtubules

Inheritance

• Maternal inheritance: mitochondria are inherited from mother, as only egg cell mitochondria survive fertilization
• Mitochondrial DNA: separate from nuclear DNA, responsible for some mitochondrial functions

Diseases and Disorders

• Mitochondrial myopathies: muscle disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction
• Mitochondrial neurodegenerative diseases: diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's linked to mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria

Structure

• Mitochondria have a double membrane, with the outer membrane being permeable and the inner membrane being impermeable and folded into cristae to increase surface area.
• The intermembrane space is the region between the outer and inner membranes.
• The matrix is the innermost region of the mitochondria, where the citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation take place.

Function

• Mitochondria are the primary site of energy production, generating most of the cell's ATP through cellular respiration.
• They break down glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP during aerobic respiration.
• Mitochondria are involved in cell signaling, playing a role in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.
• They also regulate ion concentrations, particularly calcium, within the cell.

Dynamics

• Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can divide, fuse, and move within the cell.
• Mitophagy is the process of mitochondrial degradation and recycling.
• Mitochondria can move along microtubules, a process known as mitochondrial motility.

Inheritance

• Mitochondria are inherited solely from the mother, as only egg cell mitochondria survive fertilization.
• Mitochondrial DNA is separate from nuclear DNA and is responsible for some mitochondrial functions.

Diseases and Disorders

• Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to muscle disorders, known as mitochondrial myopathies.
• Mitochondrial neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, have been linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

This quiz covers the structure and function of mitochondria, including its membranes, intermembrane space, and matrix, as well as its role in energy production through cellular respiration.