Biology and Medicine

Role of Mitochondria in Energy Production and Metabolism

Laura Cristina^* Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas, Texas, United States of America
^*Correspondence: Laura Cristina, Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas, Texas, United States of America, Email:

Received: 27-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. BLM-23-20934 ; Editor assigned: 30-Mar-2023, Pre QC No. BLM-23-20934(PQ); Reviewed: 14-Mar-2023, QC No. BLM-23-20934 ; Revised: 21-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. BLM-23-20934(R); Published: 28-Apr-2023, DOI: 10.35248/0974-8369.23.15.563

Description

Mitochondria is one of the most essential organelles found in animal cells, playing an important in the production of energy for the cell. They are double-membrane-bound organelles found in most eukaryotic cells. The outer membrane is smooth and porous, while the inner membrane is highly folded and contains many enzymes and transporters. These folds, called cristae, increase the surface area of the inner membrane, allowing for more efficient ATP production. They are responsible for generating Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is the primary energy currency of cells. These are present in almost every animal cell and are called as the powerhouse of the cell.

The process of producing ATP by the mitochondria is known as cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a series of biochemical reactions that occur within the mitochondria, and it involves the breakdown of glucose and other molecules to produce ATP. The process of cellular respiration can be divided into three stages: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. Glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration, and it occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a net gain of two molecules of ATP. The pyruvate produced during glycolysis is then transported into the mitochondria for further processing. The second stage of cellular respiration is the Krebs cycle, which occurs within the mitochondria. The Krebs cycle involves a series of chemical reactions that break down pyruvate to release carbon dioxide, which is expelled from the cell, and generate energy in the form of ATP. During this cycle, acetyl-Co-A is generated from the pyruvate that was transported into mitochondria. Acetyl-Co-A then enters in to the Krebs cycle, where it undergoes a series of chemical reactions that generate ATP, carbon dioxide, and other molecules. The final stage of cellular respiration is the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain also occurs within the mitochondria and involves a series of chemical reactions that transfer electrons from one molecule to another. The electrons that are transferred during the electron transport chain eventually end up being used to generate ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. The energy generated during the electron transport chain is used to produce a large amount of ATP.

Without mitochondria, cells would not be able to generate the ATP necessary to carry out essential cellular processes, such as DNA replication, protein synthesis, and cell division. Additionally, energy produced by this is also essential for other physiological functions, such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission. They also contain their own ribosomes, which are similar in size and structure to bacterial ribosomes. This supports the endosymbiotic theory, which suggests that mitochondria were once free-living bacteria that were engulfed by eukaryotic cells and eventually became symbiotic with them. Mitochondrial dysfunction can have severe consequences on an animal's health. Mitochondrial diseases are a group of genetic disorders that affect the function of mitochondria. These diseases can have a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, neurological problems, and developmental delays. These diseases can be caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA or by mutations in nuclear genes that affect mitochondrial function.