Why is mitochondria called powerhouse of cell

This means that, in laboratory tests, they can neutralise free radicals. It was thought that consuming these foods, or extracts made from them, would help the body to remove damaging free radicals. Recent research suggests that antioxidants work differently in the body than in the laboratory. It is now thought that some antioxidants, in particular, a class of plant chemicals known as polyphenols, have a direct effect on the mitochondria. It appears that they stimulate the mitochondria to become more efficient in generating energy from food, so they generate fewer free radicals and neutralise them more quickly.

If mitochondria are not functioning efficiently, their energy-producing capacity is reduced, more free radicals escape causing damage to the cell and early cell death may follow. Research over recent years is indicating that the health of mitochondria is very much lifestyle and diet dependent. Excessive consumption of sugary foods and beverages reduces mitochondrial efficiency.

Lack of exercise reduces the number of mitochondria in active cells such as muscle, and they become inefficient, leaking out more free radicals into the cell.

By choosing a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoidance of sugary foods, control of appetite and avoiding smoking, anyone can tune up their mitochondria, which should help to promote a long and very healthy life. One of the habits of scientists is open-mindedness. Scientists need to be receptive to new ideas and suggestions.

As new evidence is discovered, new ways of interpreting and understanding it may have to be considered. Add to collection.

Mitochondria are tiny organelles inside cells that are involved in releasing energy from food. Different types of cells have different numbers of mitochondria. Like mature red blood cells have none at all, whereas liver cells contain more than 2, High-demanding energy cells have greater numbers of mitochondria.

So, we can say that mitochondria are freely permeable to ions, nutrient molecules, energy molecules like the ADP, and ATP molecules. Cristae: Folds present in the inner membrane are known as cristae.

Due to cristae, the surface area of the membrane is increased and so, space available for chemical reactions is also increased. The main function of the mitochondria is to produce energy through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria are referred to as the powerhouse of the cell or energy factories because they help in extracting energy from food via cellular respiration.

The energy is released in the form of adenosine triphosphate ATP. It is also called the energy currency of the cell. During digestion, food breaks down and products from digestion of food find their way into the cell then a series of chemical reactions occur in the cytoplasm. This permits some of the energy locked up in these products to be released and incorporated into the universal energy supplier in cells called ATP.

From this process, remaining molecular fragments then enter the mitochondria and there they are finally converted into carbon dioxide and water. In these fragments, the energy locked up is incorporated into more ATP. The ATP produced can be used by the cell to supply energy required to function. During the breakdown of glucose, the chemical reaction that occurs is:. Glucose Oxygen Carbon dioxide Water. Most of the mitochondrial diseases are due to mutations in nuclear DNA that affect products that end up in the mitochondria.

These mutations can be inherited or spontaneous. The matrix and inner membrane are rich with the enzymes necessary for aerobic respiration. Mitochondria have their own usually circular DNA chromosome that is stabilized by attachments to the inner membrane and carries genes similar to genes expressed by alpha-proteobacteria.

Mitochondria also have special ribosomes and transfer RNAs that resemble these components in prokaryotes. These features all support the hypothesis that mitochondria were once free-living prokaryotes. ATP represents the short-term stored energy of the cell. Cellular respiration is the process of making ATP using the chemical energy found in glucose and other nutrients.

In mitochondria, this process uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In fact, the carbon dioxide that you exhale with every breath comes from the cellular reactions that produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. It is important to point out that muscle cells have a very high concentration of mitochondria that produce ATP. Your muscle cells need a lot of energy to keep your body moving. Instead, the small amount of ATP they make in the absence of oxygen is accompanied by the production of lactic acid.