Table of Contents
- 1 Why is there folding on the cristae of mitochondria and why is that significant?
- 2 Can mitochondria be seen under electron microscope?
- 3 What is the importance of mitochondrial structure in ATP production?
- 4 What are the folds in the mitochondrial membrane called?
- 5 Why are mitochondria not visible under the microscope?
- 6 Why do some of the mitochondria in the electron micrograph here appear roughly circular?
- 7 How does the mitochondria structure affect its function?
- 8 What is the composition of mitochondrial membrane?
- 9 What is the conformation of mitochondria in situ?
- 10 Are the cisternal cristae of the rat liver mitochondria flattened?
Why is there folding on the cristae of mitochondria and why is that significant?
To increase the capacity of the mitochondrion to synthesize ATP, the inner membrane is folded to form cristae. These folds allow a much greater amount of electron transport chain enzymes and ATP synthase to be packed into the mitochondrion.
Can mitochondria be seen under electron microscope?
Below the basic structure is shown in the same animal cell, on the left viewed with the light microscope, and on the right with the transmission electron microscope. Mitochondria are visible with the light microscope but can’t be seen in detail. Ribosomes are only visible with the electron microscope.
What is the function of the mitochondria How does the form structure and components of mitochondria facilitate the function?
The structure of the mitochondrion is adapted to the function it performs: Outer membrane – the outer membrane contains transport proteins that enable the shuttling of pyruvate from the cytosol. Inner membrane – contains the electron transport chain and ATP synthase (used for oxidative phosphorylation)
What is the importance of mitochondrial structure in ATP production?
The mitochondrion is the site of ATP synthesis for the cell. The number of mitochondria found in a cell are therefore a good indicator of the cell’s rate of metabolic activity; cells which are very metabolically active, such as hepatocytes, will have many mitochondria.
What are the folds in the mitochondrial membrane called?
Each mitochondrion has two membranes: an inner membrane which is highly convoluted and folded into finger-like projections called cristae, and a smooth outer membrane that is a selective barrier to molecules from the cytoplasm.
Why is the folding of the inner mitochondrial membrane an evolutionary advantage?
This allowed the proto-eukaryote to amplify ATP generation while constraining the volume dedicated to energy production. In mitochondria, folding of the inner membrane has evolved into a highly regulated process that creates specialized compartments (cristae) tuned to optimize function.
Why are mitochondria not visible under the microscope?
However, most organelles are not clearly visible by light microscopy, and those that can be seen (such as the nucleus, mitochondria and Golgi) can’t be studied in detail because their size is close to the limit of resolution of the light microscope.
Why do some of the mitochondria in the electron micrograph here appear roughly circular?
The mitochondria will appear circular if they are cut, in transverse section/across (the long axis). Describe the process of protein secretion/exporting. (It involves the rough ER, golgi apparatus, secretory vesicles, and the cell membrane.) The ribsomes attached to the rough ER produce proteins.
How is the structure of a mitochondrion important for its function?
Mitochondria are shaped perfectly to maximize their productivity. They are made of two membranes. The folding of the inner membrane increases the surface area inside the organelle. Since many of the chemical reactions happen on the inner membrane, the increased surface area creates more space for reactions to occur.
How does the mitochondria structure affect its function?
What is the composition of mitochondrial membrane?
The mitochondrial inner membrane has a unique composition of proteins and phospholipids, whose interdependence is crucial for mitochondrial function. It is highly enriched in proteins specific to this membrane, the majority of which are encoded by the nuclear genome and imported from the cytosol.
Where is the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system located?
The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) is located at crista junctions where it stabilizes membrane curvature and forms contact sites between the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes.
What is the conformation of mitochondria in situ?
By contrast, mitochondria observed in situ are almost always found in the ‘orthodox’ conformation, characterized by a relatively large matrix volume and the inner boundary membrane (the non-cristae component of the inner membrane) closely apposed to the outer membrane with a small space between them.
Are the cisternal cristae of the rat liver mitochondria flattened?
Reconstructions of orthodox rat-liver mitochondria, isolated 14 and in situ4, show that the cisternal cristae are flattened, with fewer interconnections to each other.
Why does the mitochondrion need more cristae to produce ATP?
Having more cristae gives the mitochondrion more locations for ATP production to occur. In fact, without them, the mitochondrion would not be able to keep up with the cell’s ATP needs.