what is the structure to function of the mitochondria?

Question

Hi could anyone please help me relate the structure to function of the mitochondria please, also does anyone know the importance of the mitochondrion reproducing independantly of the cell in which it is found.

Any help is greatfully recieved. thankyou

Answer 1

The mitochondrion is a membrane-bound organelle in which the Krebs cycle occurs. In simplistic terms, sugars are broken down and the form of energy used in the body, ATP, is produced. How does the mitochondrion do this? It has lost of smaller compartments in it, and concentrations of ions build up in some of the compartments.
Do you know how a pump works? It uses energy to move something. Pumps in cells move ions from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This is in the opposite directions than the ions want to mov e (by diffusion). They have to use energy (in cells, the APT) to do this.
Now, imagine there is a "reverse pump" in the mitochondrion compartment. Instead of moving the ions from low to high, it lets the ions move the way they want to (from high to low), but "catches" the energy released in doing so, and use it to make ATP.

Answer 2

Mitochondria and Chloroplasts are similar because they both produce ATP (energy, basically). Mitochondria, unlike Chloroplast, produces ATP through a process known as Cellular Respiration while Chloroplast produces ATP through a process known as photosynthesis.

Answer 3

hm mm...mitochondria is the power house of the cell. it produces energy for the cell during aerobic respiration for the vital activities of cell.
u know mitochondria has two membranes :outer and inner . the outer membrane is smooth while inner membrane is folded inwards and in these folded bits there are finger like structure called cristae. and in these cristae there are enzymes which helps in metabolic processes.
i guess the reasons for it reproducing independently are:
they are one of the organelle containing RNA or DNA.
it is the center of respiratory activity.
it can synthesise structural proteins (due to presence of DNA or RNA)

Answer 4

Highly folded inner membrane forming Cristae with large surface areas for faster rate of molecule movement through the membrane, allowing for faster diffusion of ATP for use in Active Transport.