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CELL-The UNIT of LIFE - Mitochondria, Chloroplast
CELL-The UNIT of LIFE - Mitochondria, Chloroplast
Chloroplast
Mitochondria is called the powerhouse of the cell. It was first discovered by
Kolliker in 1880. Benda named it as mitochondria. Mitochondria generate ATP
through electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
Mitochondria are distributed throughout the cytoplasm and are localised at the
sites engaged in higher metabolic activities like
- at the base of cilia to provide energy for movement.
- at the light band of muscles to provide energy for contraction.
Structure
(a) Mitochondrial membranes: +
(i) Outer membrane- It forms an outer boundary through which molecules
can diffuse.
(ii) Inner Membrane: It is projected into the central space in the form of
finger like projections called cristae. The cristae increase the surface
area and provide abundant space for metabolism. This membrane is
selectively permeable. The inner membrane contains all the enzymes
of electron transport chain. It is studded with numerous stalked bodies
known as elementary particles. The inner membrane encloses the
mitochondrial matrix.
(b) Mitochondrial Chambers:
(i) Outer Chamber: It is intermembranous i.e. the space between the
outer and inner membranes of mitochondria, extending into the core of crests
also. It is 60-100 Å wide. It contains enzymes adenylate kinase and
nucleoside diphosphokinase.
(ii) Inner chamber- It is the space enclosed by the inner membrane. It is
a wide space and is called matrix. It is dense and filled with enzymes, a
circular double stranded DNA molecule, many small ribosomes, enzymes
controlling TCA or Krebs cycle and fatty acid oxidation.
Mitochondrial ribosomes are smaller than the cytoplasmic ribosomes and
are similar to bacterial ribosomes in number and character(like
composition of sub units).
Elementary Particle
These are stalked particles present on the
inner membrane. These are approximately 8.5
nm in diameter and are evenly spaced at an
interval of 100 nm. These are differentiated
into a base piece (F0- subunit), stalk and a
head (F1 –subunit). There may be 10 4- 10 5
particles per mitochondria. They are called
elementary particles and are associated with
ATP production.
The head piece (F1) is associated with ATP
synthesis. The base piece (F0) lies where there
are components of respiratory chain(ETC)
itself. The F0-F1 combination brings about the
formation of ATP molecules by oxidative
phosphorylation.
Functions of Mitochondria
The most important function of chloroplast is photosynthesis, i.e. to trap the radiant energy of sunlight and
transform it into chemical energy which is stored in the form of starch in plant cells. It involves two processes –
light reaction in membrane system and dark reaction in stroma.
Similarities between mitochondria and chloroplasts
1. Both are semiautonomous organelles as they both contain DNA, RNA and ribosomes.
2. Both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA and chloroplast(cpDNA) are circular in shape.
3. The genetic information contained in mtDNA and cpDNA is limited.
4. Both contain specific genes related to some of their functions, but both depend on
nuclear genes for other functions.
5. Both originate and develop in the same way. They are formed by division pre-existing
organelles. A eukaryotic cell doesn’t produce new mitochondria or chloroplasts each
time the cell divides. Instead mitochondria and chloroplasts themselves divide in two,
doubling their number and these are then partitioned between the new cells.
6. By the symbiont hypothesis, there are many similarities between prokaryotes and
mitochondria and chloroplasts. They are similar to the prokaryotes in following ways:
- By the presence of circular DNA
-Circular DNA not associated with histones.
-Presence of 70S ribosomes(eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes)
7. It is postulated that they both may have existed as independent organisms in the past .
During evolution, they developed a symbiotic relationship with plant and animal cells and
evolved into their present state.
Differences between chloroplasts and mitochondria
Chloroplasts Mitochondria
(i) Sites of photosynthesis and are known as (i) Sites of aerobic respiration and are
photosynthetic organelles of the cell. known as power houses of the cell.
(ii) Present in plant cells only(green parts of (ii) Present in all cells in both animal and
the plant) plants.
(iii) Contain chlorophyll and impart green (iii) Contain enzymes for oxidation of food.
colour to the plant Do not impart any colour.