Mitochondria: function and structure

Mitochondria, sometimes known as condriamomes, are Very specialized organelles that are found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, both animals, vegetables, fungi and protists. They are small units inside the cell and carry out Specific functions for development of them. They are associated with the cell membrane with the help of a double membrane. The shape of this organelle can be different depending on the type of cell in question, being able to be as canes, long filaments or granules.

He number of mitochondria varies According to their cell type, because there are cells or tissues that have a much larger energy demand, such as muscle, brain or liver.

If you want to know more about cellular organelles: what are, functions and examples or the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell, we recommend that you take a look at these other articles.

Even if they ask us what is the function of mitochondria, we cannot say that it is only one. Rather, we are talking about the functions of said cellular organelo. Therefore, Two important processes occur.

The main function of the mitochondria as cellular organelo is cellular respiration through the use of oxygen and, in addition, the production of chemical energy necessary for the cell to carry out its biochemical reactions. Next, we will see them more detail.

• Cell breathing by using oxygen: They are the Krebs cycle, a metabolic route in which energy is released due to the oxidation of acetyl coenzyme A, the aforementioned oxidative phosphorylation process and the electron transport chain.
• Chemical energy production: It is saved in the form of ATP or adenosyntiffosphate, since this phosphate generates a large energy link. This ATP is catalyzed with the help of the ATP Syntasa transmembraal enzyme, from the oxidation of amino acids, fatty acids and sugars, and this is what is known as oxidative phosphorylation.

In the internal membrane of mitochondria there are enzymatic complexes composed of several proteins that have multiple activities:

• Use of molecular oxygen.
• Reduction and oxidation of different organic compounds: In this way, a chain is transported by electrons.
• Pumping of the protons: towards the mitochondrial intermembranal space.

These complexes of the respiratory chain are divided into complex I or NADH dehydrogenase, complex II or succinate dehydrogenase, complex III or coenzyme q-cytochrome C reductase and complex IV or cytochrome oxidase.

Although the structure of mitochondria can be variable, they usually always have basic ones. These are the Parts of the mitochondria:

1. Outer membrane
2. Internal membrane
3. Ridges
4. Mitochondrial Intermembranal Space
5. Mitorribosomas
6. Mythogenoma or mtadn

Next, let’s see these parts of the mitochondria, one by one.

The first part of the mitochondria we see is the external membrane, with which they are delimited from abroad and at the same time are communicated. Mitochondria receive a lot of cell information and for this they have proteins with holes called porinas to allow the passage of ions and other smaller proteins towards the intermembranal space. All proteins that enter must be deployed, which happens thanks to chaperone proteins. They also help protein complexes to introduce proteins.

Inside, the next part of mitochondria is the internal membrane that form the matrix. Is Analogue to cell cytoplasm. From this region comes the energy in the form of ATP. Here metabolic processes such as:

• Oxidative phosphorylation.
• ATP production.
• The Krebs cycle.
• The oxidation of pyruvate.
• The oxidation of amino acids.
• Oxidation of fatty acids.

It also has Structural function Because this is where the other micro organelles of mitochondria such as ribosomes, DNA, ions, and metabolites are arranged. The internal membrane is configured by a lipid bilayer where there are enzymatic complexes composed of different proteins necessary for the electron transport chain.

The external and internal membranes are parts of the mitochondria that They bend To form ridges, folding. They are mainly located on the banks of the mitochondria, but delimited out by the outer membrane. They accommodate perpendicular to the delimitation of the mitochondria. In the membranes of these ridges is where The most important functions occur of the mitochondria:

• The transport of electrons: with the help of the enzymatic complexes that transfer the electrons from one place to another.
• Oxidative phosphorylation.
• The compact and maximization of electron transfer.

Between the internal and external membrane there is a space called intermembranal mitochondrial space, which is of vital importance for cell activity. It has a high enzyme content necessary for breathing. Its main function is the Reception of protons from the pumping of enzymatic complexes. It is of aqueous consistency. Here are enzymes and proteins that attend the cellular process. Also Translocation occurs hereprocess where mitochondrial matrix proteins are transported from outside the mitochondria. Finally, they transport fatty acids.

The mitochondria also has ribosomes, called miterribosomas or mitochondrial ribosomes, with the same function of ribosomas: Synthesize proteins through genetic translation. They receive the information in the form of RNA to translate it into DNA.

Mitochondria have their own DNA. In fact, they are the only organelle with Particular DNA. He always works in conjunction with the core DNA to coordinate activities and has a small and circular form. This mitochondrial DNA is inherits only from the mothernot of the father and either by genetic recombination.

In this mitochondrial DNA, genetic failures can occur with pathogenic results of diseases such as Parkinson Parkinson, because of its proximity to oxidative metabolism. Also, It lacks protective histonesunlike the DNA of the cell nucleus, which does.

This DNA has been of great evolutionary interest, since it was explained through the principles of the Endosimbiosis theory: Where a prokaryotic cell swallowed an aerobic respiration bacterium to obtain its organelles, creating an eukaryotic cell and symbiotic relationship. It is understandable then that the mitochondria is a special organelle with several micro organelles inside it, as if it were a small cell itself.

Now that you know what the function of mitochondria is, in this other ecology article you can find more information about genetic recombination: what is and types.

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