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Alternate titles: chondriosome, mitochondria
Top Questions
What is a mitochondrion?
What do the mitochondria do?
Where are the mitochondria found?
Summary
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mitochondrion, membrane-bound organelle found in the cytoplasm of almost all eukaryotic cells (cells with clearly defined nuclei), the primary function of which is to generate large quantities of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria are typically round to oval in shape and range in size from 0.5 to 10 μm. In addition to producing energy, mitochondria store calcium for cell signaling activities, generate heat, and mediate cell growth and death.
The number of mitochondria per cell varies widely—for example, in humans, erythrocytes (red blood cells) do not contain any mitochondria, whereas liver cells and muscle cells may contain hundreds or even thousands. The only eukaryotic organism known to lack mitochondria is the oxymonad Monocercomonoides species. Mitochondria are unlike other cellular organelles in that they have two distinct membranes and a unique genome and reproduce by binary fission; these features indicate that mitochondria share an evolutionary past with prokaryotes (single-celled organisms).
Most of the proteins and other molecules that make up mitochondria originate in the cell nucleus. However, 37 genes are contained in the human mitochondrial genome, 13 of which produce various components of the electron transport chain (ETC). In many organisms, the mitochondrial genome is inherited maternally. This is because the mother’s egg cell donates the majority of cytoplasm to the embryo, and mitochondria inherited from the father’s sperm are usually destroyed.
Role in energy production
The outer mitochondrial membrane is freely permeable to small molecules and contains special channels capable of transporting large molecules. In contrast, the inner membrane is far less permeable, allowing only very small molecules to cross into the gel-like matrix that makes up the organelle’s central mass. The matrix contains the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the mitochondrial genome and the enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle, or Krebs cycle), which metabolizes nutrients into by-products the mitochondrion can use for energy production.
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The processes that convert these by-products into energy occur primarily on the inner membrane, which is bent into folds known as cristae that house the protein components of the main energy-generating system of cells, the ETC. The ETC uses a series of oxidation-reduction reactions to move electrons from one protein component to the next, ultimately producing free energy that is harnessed to drive the phosphorylation of ADP (adenosine diphosphate) to ATP. This process, known as chemiosmotic coupling of oxidative phosphorylation, powers nearly all cellular activities, including those that generate muscle movement and fuel brain functions.
- NEET Questions
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Mitochondria |
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NEET 2023 - Target Batch - Aryan Raj Singh
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Endoplasmic reticulumn bearing ribosomes on their surface is called
(1)Rough endoplasmic reticulumn
(2)Smooth endoplasmic reticulumn
(3)Lomasomes
(4)None of these
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Intro to Endomembrane System: Endoplasmic Reticulum |
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NEET 2023 - Target Batch - Aryan Raj Singh
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Which of the following is true about SER (smooth endoplasmic reticulum), except
1. Ribosomes are absent
2. Actively involved in protein synthesis
3. Steroidal hormone synthesis site
4. Both A and C
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Intro to Endomembrane System: Endoplasmic Reticulum |
To view explanation, please take trial in the course below.
NEET 2023 - Target Batch - Aryan Raj Singh
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NEET 2023 - Target Batch - Aryan Raj Singh
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Which of the following is not a modification of endoplasmic reticulum
1. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
2. Nissl’s granules
3. myeloid bodies
4. None of these
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Intro to Endomembrane System: Endoplasmic Reticulum |
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Ergastoplasm is a modification of
1. RER
2. SER
3. GB
4. None of these
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Intro to Endomembrane System: Endoplasmic Reticulum |
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Plastids are present in
1. Plants
2. Euglenoides
3. Both A and B
4. all protists
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Plastids |
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Based on the type of pigments plastids can be classified into how many classes
1. 3
2. 4
3. 2
4. 1
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Plastids |
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All the three types of plastids have evolved from
(1)Pro-plastid
(2)chloroplast
(3)chromoplast
(4)leucoplast
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Plastids |
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The type of leucoplast which stores oils and fats is
(1)amyloplast
(2)aleuroplast
(3)elaioplast
(4)chromoplast
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Plastids |
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The incorrect match is
(1)Elaioplast- lipids
(2)amyloplast-starch
(3)aleuroplast-carbohydrates
(4)chromoplast-carotenoids
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Subtopic: Plastids |
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NEET 2023 - Target Batch - Aryan Raj Singh
To view explanation, please take trial in the course below.
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Please attempt this question first.