Structure and Function:
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are organelles that act like a digestive system that takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy for the cell. The process of creating cell energy is known as cellular respiration. Most of the chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration happen in the mitochondria. You might find cells with several thousand mitochondria, the number depends on what the cell needs to do.
Mitochondria are typically tubular or sausage-shaped organelles found in all types of eukaryotic cells. Bounded by two membranes, the outer membrane is smooth, while the inner one is folded into numerous contiguous layers called cristae. The cristae are two compartments: a matrix, lying inside the the inner membrane, and an outer compartment or intermembrane space, lying between the two mitochondrial membranes.
(Good writing)
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are organelles that act like a digestive system that takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy for the cell. The process of creating cell energy is known as cellular respiration. Most of the chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration happen in the mitochondria. You might find cells with several thousand mitochondria, the number depends on what the cell needs to do.
Mitochondria are typically tubular or sausage-shaped organelles found in all types of eukaryotic cells. Bounded by two membranes, the outer membrane is smooth, while the inner one is folded into numerous contiguous layers called cristae. The cristae are two compartments: a matrix, lying inside the the inner membrane, and an outer compartment or intermembrane space, lying between the two mitochondrial membranes.
(Good writing)
Connections:
Mitochondrial Myopathies- This disorder is a group of diseases caused by damage to the mitochondria. Nerve cells in the brain and muscles require a great deal of energy, and appear to be particularly damaged when mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. There are many symptomes involved in this disease, such as, heart failure, dementia, and deafness. The disease occurs usually before age 20, beginning with muscle weakness and fatigue and could possibly lead to death.
History:
The mitochondria was first identified at the end of the 19th century by a German pathologist and histologist (tissue researcher) named Richard Altmann. It was given the name “mitochondria” by Karl Benda, a German physician.(1857-1933). Altmann is known for his work involving cell theory and structure. In his study of animal
cells, he investigated small granules in the protoplasm of the cell. He called these particles- bioblasts, which he postulated were elementary organisms that had metabolic and genetic autonomy. Today Altmann’s bioblasts are known as mitochondria.
The mitochondria was first identified at the end of the 19th century by a German pathologist and histologist (tissue researcher) named Richard Altmann. It was given the name “mitochondria” by Karl Benda, a German physician.(1857-1933). Altmann is known for his work involving cell theory and structure. In his study of animal
cells, he investigated small granules in the protoplasm of the cell. He called these particles- bioblasts, which he postulated were elementary organisms that had metabolic and genetic autonomy. Today Altmann’s bioblasts are known as mitochondria.