In the cells of any living organisms there are special organelles that move, function, merge with each other and multiply. They are called mitochondria or chondriosomes. Similar structures are found both in the cells of simple organisms and in the cells of plants and animals. For a long time, when studying the structure of cells , the functions of mitochondria were also studied, because it was of particular interest.
Indeed, at the cellular level, mitochondria perform a specific and very important function - they form energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate. This is a key nucleotide in the metabolism of living organisms and its conversion into energy. ATP acts as a universal source of energy necessary for any biochemical processes in the body. This is the main function of mitochondria - to maintain vital activity at the cellular level due to the formation of ATP.
The processes taking place in the cells have long been of particular interest to scientists, because it helped to better understand the structure and capabilities of the body. The process of cognition always takes a long time. So Karl Lohmann discovered adenosine triphosphate in 1929, and Fritz Lipman in 1941 figured out that he is the main supplier of energy to cells.
The structure of mitochondria
Appearance is of the same interest as the function of mitochondria. The sizes and shapes of these organelles are variable and can be different depending on the types of living things. If you describe the average values, the granular and filamentous mitochondria, consisting of two membranes, has dimensions of about 0.5 micromillimeters in thickness, and the length can reach 60 micromillimeters.
As mentioned above, scientists have long been trying to understand the question of what is the structure and functions of mitochondria. The main difficulties were with insufficiently developed equipment, because it is almost impossible to study the microworld in other ways.
Animal cells contain more mitochondria than plant cells, because for animals, energy conversion is more important from an evolutionary point of view. However, it is rather difficult to explain such processes, but in plant cells these functions are mainly assumed by chloroplasts.
In mitochondrial cells can be located in a variety of places where there is a need for ATP. We can say that mitochondria have a fairly universal structure, so they can appear in different places.
Mitochondrial function
The main function of mitochondria is the synthesis of ATP molecules. This is a kind of cell energy station, which, due to the oxidation of various organic compounds, releases energy due to their decay.
The main source of energy, i.e. the compound used for decomposition is pyruvic acid. Her, in turn, the body receives from proteins, carbohydrates and fats. There are two ways of generating energy, and mitochondria use both. The first of them is associated with the oxidation of pyruvate in the matrix. The second is already connected with organelle cristae and directly completes the process of energy production.
In general, this mechanism is quite complex and occurs in several stages. Long sequences of reactions are built up, the sole purpose of which is the energy supply of other cellular processes. Maintaining the body at the cellular level allows you to maintain its vital activity in general. That is why scientists for a long time tried to figure out exactly how these processes occur. Over time, many issues were resolved, especially in this study of DNA and the structure of the remaining small cells of the microworld helped. Without this, it would be hardly possible to imagine the development of this science as a whole, as well as the study of the human body and highly developed animals.