Mitochondria Research Paper

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Pages: 3

Every living thing is made up of cells. Mitochondria are parts of the cells that turn proteins, fats, and sugars into forms of chemical energy for the body. That is why these parts are called as the cell's “powerhouses.”

The Mitochondria Function
Cells are the basic building blocks of the living things. In fact, our body is made up of trillions of cells, providing the body with structure, taking nutrients from the foods, converting the collected nutrients into energy, and carrying out specialized functions in the body. The mitochondria function by converting the energy from the food into a form that the cells can use. They are known to produce about 90% of the chemical energy, which cells need in order to survive. That is why when there is something wrong in the mitochondria, it may lead to serious diseases.

What Does Mitochondria Do Aside from Producing Energy?
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Mitochondria also produce chemicals that the body needs for other purposes and are breaking down the waste products so that it will be recyclable to save energy or will be less harmful to the body.

It may sound strange, but mitochondria have a role in apoptosis -- the death of cells. However, this process is vital for a controlled development and growth of cells. Sometimes, cells have to die so that they will not grow uncontrollably that may result in the growth of the tumor.

What is the Mitochondrial Structure?
A double-membrane system covers the mitochondria. To better understand the mitochondrial structure, the double-membrane system consists the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes that are separated by the intermembrane space. The inner membrane shapes various cristae or folds that extends to the matrix or interior of the organelle.

Every component plays functional roles, with the inner membrane and the matrix representing mitochondria’s major working compartments.

The Mitochondrial