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Function of mitochondria:
Simplest answer:
Production of
adenosine
triphosphate (ATP)
via
Mitochondria are present in eukaryotic cells - incl. animal cellsand plant cells. The number of
mitochondria per cell varies from just one mitochondrion to 10,000 mitochondria in some specialized
types of cells. A "typical" number of mitochondria per cell is around 200. The quantity of mitochondria per
cell depends on the type of cell, the precise details of cell structures depending on cell functions.
The main function of mitochondria is the production of energy during the production of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) via the TCA Cycle (which is also as the Krebs Cycle and the Citric Acid Cycle). That
process is an important metabolic pathway (see also what is metabolism). It is described in detail on the
pages about the TCA Cycle - which is often included in introductory biology courses e.g. A-Level Biology,
but not necessarily in first-level anatomy & physiology e.g. ITEC A&P.
For further general knowledge about cell biology and the functions of cell organelles such
as mitochondria it is useful to be aware of some of the other functions of mitochondria. Mitochondria
have an important role (or roles) in many other metabolic tasks, including ...
3. Role as independent units within Mitochondria contain their own genetic material - which is
eukaryotic cells: independent of the cell in which they are located.
Mitochondria have mitochondrial
DNA (mtDNA)
4. Role in the process of apoptosis: Two types of cell death occur in multicellular organisms:
(Programmed cell death)
5. Storage of Ca2+ ions Calcium (Ca2+) has many important functions in the
biochemistry of cells and in physiology generally, e.g. re.
Note: The numbers listed on the LHS above are just for ease of reference to this list. The extent and importance of these
functions in any particular cell depends on the type of cell and sometimes also on additional factors such as the health of the
organism and any specific diseases present.
The above list of functions of mitochondria is not comprehensive but a general introduction likely to be
sufficient for introductory courses that include some cell biology e.g. types of cells and the structures
and functions of cell organelles.