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| 1. |
llalldcUhtainsthegehĂŠticmeterialsforinheritance.4. Describe the ultra structure and functions of mitochondria. |
| Answer» <p>Structure of Mitochondria</p><p>Mitochondria are rod shaped structure found in both animal and plant cells. It is a double membrane bound organelle. It has the outer membrane and the inner membrane. The membranes are made up of phospholipids and proteins.</p><p>The components of mitochondria are as follows:</p><p>Outer membrane</p><p>It is smooth and is composed of equal amounts of phospholipids and proteins.</p><p>It has a large number of special proteins known as the porins.</p><p>The porins are integralmembrane proteins and they allow the movement of molecules that are of 5000 daltons or less in weight to pass through it.</p><p>The outer membrane is freely permeable to nutrient molecules,ions, energy molecules likethe ATP and ADP molecules.</p><p>Inner membrane</p><p>The inner membrane of mitochondria is more complex in structure.</p><p>It is folded into a number of folds many times and is known as the cristae.</p><p>This folding help to increase the surface ares inside the organelle.</p><p>The cristae and the proteins of the inner membrane aids in the production of ATP molecules.</p><p>Various chemical reactions takes place in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.</p><p>Unlike the outermembrane, the inner membrane is strictly permeable, it is permeable only to oxygen, ATP and it also helps in regulating transfer of metabolites across the membrane.</p><p>Intermembrane space</p><p>Itis the space between the outer and inner membrane of the mitochondria, it has the same composition as that of the cell's cytoplasm.</p><p>There is a difference in the protein content in the intermembrane space.</p><p>Matrix</p><p>The matrix of the mitochondria is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes. These enzymes are important for the synthesis of ATP molecules, mitochondrial ribosomes, tRNAs and mitochondrial DNA.Function of Mitochondria</p><p>Functions of mitochondria depends on the cell type in which they are present.</p><p>The most important function of the mitochondria is to produce energy. The simpler molecules of nutrition are sent to the mitochondria to be processed and to produce charged molecules. These charged molecules combine with oxygen and produce ATP molecules. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation.</p><p>Mitochondria helpthe cells to maintain proper concentration of calcium ions within the compartments of the cell.</p><p>The mitochondria also helpin building certain parts of blood and hormones like testosterone and estrogen.</p><p>The liver cells mitochondria have enzymes that detoxify ammonia.</p><p>The mitochondria also play important role in the process of apoptosis or programmed cell death. Abnormal death of cells due to the dysfunction of mitochondria can affect the function of organ</p> | |