Question

Define the Mitochondria and power cells.

Answer 1

Mitochondria is a membrane bound organelles which generate most of the chemical energy and also known as powerhouse of the cell.

Complete answer:
Mitochondria are double membranous organelles with two different membranes. These membranes are mainly used to generate energy in cells. The process of energy conversion produces energy in the form of ATP. Main purpose of mitochondria is to produce energy in the form of ATP. Different cells have different amounts of mitochondria depending upon the amount of energy it requires. Those cells which require more energy contain more mitochondria like flight muscles of birds, kidney, liver, etc.
Main functions of mitochondria are:
Regulation of metabolic activity of cells.
Promotes cell growth and cell multiplication.
Detoxify ammonia from liver cells.
Helps in programmed cell death also known as apoptosis.
Also help in maintaining concentration of calcium ions in the cell.
Helps in the formation of hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
Mitochondria has two membranes with small intermembrane space in between them. Outer membrane is more permeable while the inner membrane is less permeable to proteins and ions. Citric acid cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix in which it produces electrons to travel from one protein complex to the next one. In this process the final acceptor is oxygen and forms water. At the same time it also produces ATP, also known as the energy currency of cells. This process is also known as Oxidative Phosphorylation.

Note:
Double membrane organelle with small intermembrane space whose main function is to produce ATP which is the energy currency of a cell is Mitochondria. That’s why it is also known as the powerhouse of the cell because it provides energy for all the metabolic activity to occur inside the cell. Through the process of Oxidative Phosphorylation also known as Citric acid cycle it produces ATP with the help of a complex called ATP Synthase.