Question

What is the role of mitochondria in the cell, and how does their structure relate to their function?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Hint:

Mitochondria are often called the "powerhouses" of the cell due to their role in ATP production. The structure of the inner membrane, with its folds (cristae), maximizes the surface area available for energy production.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells, and they are primarily responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is essential for a variety of cellular processes, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and cell division.
Mitochondria play a key role in cellular respiration, which is the process by which cells extract energy from nutrients (such as glucose) and convert it into ATP. The general equation for cellular respiration is:
\[ \text{Glucose} + \text{Oxygen} \rightarrow \text{ATP} + \text{Carbon Dioxide} + \text{Water} \] There are two main stages of cellular respiration that occur in the mitochondria:
1. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and produces pyruvate, which is then transported into the mitochondria.
2. The citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) and oxidative phosphorylation occur inside the mitochondria, where high-energy electrons are transferred to the electron transport chain to produce ATP.
The structure of the mitochondrion is directly related to its function. Mitochondria have a double membrane structure:
- The outer membrane is smooth and acts as a boundary, separating the mitochondrion from the cytoplasm.
- The inner membrane is highly folded into structures known as cristae, which significantly increase the surface area for ATP production.
The cristae house the proteins involved in the electron transport chain and ATP synthesis.
The space inside the inner membrane is called the matrix, and it contains enzymes necessary for the citric acid cycle and other processes in cellular respiration.
Thus, the mitochondrion's structure – particularly the inner membrane's folding and the presence of the matrix – enables the organelle to efficiently produce ATP through cellular respiration.
Therefore, the correct answer is that mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration and have a double membrane structure for ATP production.