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Structure of the Mitochondria

Mitochondria are present in all eukaryotic cells - including all animal cells and plant cells.
Mitochondria have an "oval-shaped" or "rounded rod-like" shape. Mitochondria are continually
active. They move and can change their exact shape.

Outer Membrane The outer membrane of mitochondria (OMM) is permeable to


oxygen, pyruvate, ATP and other molecules.

2. Inner Membrane It has many invaginations called cristae. The sections of the
inner membrane that form cristae are covered with many tiny
"stalked particles" called inner membrane spheres.

Many of the chemical reactions that take place within mitochondria


occur on the inner membrane. It contains the electron transport
system and the ATPase complex:

Electron transport system - generates a proton gradient.


ATPase complex - uses proton gradient to produce adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP).

Hence the inner mitochondrial membrane is the site of oxidative


phosphorylation.

3. Intermembrane The space between the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes
Space is called the intermembrane space. It has a high proton
concentration. This is due to the electron transport system of the
inner mitochondrial membrane.

4. Cristae, plural Cristae are folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane.


(The singular term
is crista.) cristae are covered with many tiny "stalked particles" called inner
membrane spheres that are also known as simply "spheres" or
"knobs".

The inner-membrane spheres play an important role in the


production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in mitochondria

5. Mitochondrial
Matrix

a Enzymes The mitochondrial matrix contains a highly-concentrated mixture


. of hundreds of enzymes. These include most of the enzymes that
participate in the TCA Cycle - occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
b Ribosomes The ribosomes in mitochondria are of 70S type - as found
. in prokaryotic cells(bacteria), as opposed to the 80S type present
in many plant and animal cells. They can synthesize proteins.

c. Mitochondrial Mitochondria have their own genetic material -DNA

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