Mitochondria

Structure

Mitochondrion is the site of the

Krebs cycle & the electron
Mitochondria has rod-shaped or These cristae give the inner
filamentous organelles. membrane a large total surface
area.
Mitochondria have length from
Cristae in mitochondria from
1-2 µ m & width at 0.1-0.5 µm.
different types of cell. In general,
Each mitochondrion is surrounded mitochondria from active cells
by an envelope of 2 phospholipid have longer, more densely packed
membranes. cristae than mitochondria from
less active cells
Smooth outer membrane to
decrease the resistance during
moving and an inner membrane
which much folded inwards to form
cristae.

The two membranes have different compositions & properties.

■The outer membrane is relatively permeable to small molecules
■ The inner membrane is less permeable.
 Inner membranal space

The inner membrane is studded The inner membranal space is the

with tiny spheres about 9 nm in site of the electron transport chain
The space between the 2 membranes of the envelope usually has a lower pH than the matrix of&the
diameter, which are attached to the contains the protein
mitochondrion as anecessary
result
inner membrane ofbythe
stalks for this.
protons that are released into the intermembrane space by the activity of the electron transport chain.

The spheres are the enzyme The intermembrane space is the

ATPsynthase. site for the linked reaction
Matrix

The matrix of the mitochondrion Matrix contains small (70 S )

is the site of the Krebs cycle. ribosomes & several identical copies
of looped
Matrix contains theDNA
mitochondrial .
enzymes
needed for the cycle.
ATP

ATP is formed in the matrix by

the activity of ATPsynthase on
The energy for the production of ATP comes from the proton gradient
between the intermembrane space & the matrix.

The ATP can be used for all the energy-requiring reactions of the cell,
both inside & outside the mitochondria

ATP→ ADP+ P+energy

What is ATP?
ATP is a source of energy. When ATP hydrolyzed by ATPase, ATP gives out one
inorganic phosphate group to release energy.
The energy released is not due to the broken of phosphate bond but to changes in
chemical potential energy created by breaking the bond.

What are the differences between mitochondria and chloroplast?

Features Mitochondria Chloroplast

Liquid inside the organelle Matrix Stroma
Inner membrane Cristae, folded Smooth
Function Cellular respiration Photosynthesis
Available In plant cells and animal cells In plant cell only
Products CO2 & H2O O2 & glucose
Granules Present as granules Present as starch granules
Membrane Cristae Stacks of thylakoid
Site of reaction Photosynthesis & photorespiration Oxidative phosphorylation, beta
oxidation, photorespiration, etc.
Why ATP is a universal energy currency?
■ ATP is small & soluble, so it can easily transport from one cell to another.
■ ATP is stable since it only release energy when being hydrolyzed by the enzyme ATPase.
■ ATP can easily break down to give energy
■ Act as a short-term energy storing
■ The build-up & breakdown of ATP is a reversible reaction. So ATP has high rate of turnover
Why is energy needed?
Energy is required for activities in cells to happen.
Type of work
Transporting substances
across the membrane
Anabolic reaction-
synthesize of complex
substances from their
monomers
Movement
Maintaining body
temperature-Homeostasis
Examples
■ Active transport using Na+-K+ in cell
membrane
■ Exocytosis of digested bacteria from
white blood cells
■ Synthesis of DNA from nucleotides
■ Synthesis of proteins from amino
acids
■ Cellular movement of chromosomes
via the spindles
■ Mechanical contraction of muscles
■ Only occurs in mammals & birds-
they use thermal heat to keep them
warm