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NCLEX Mitochondria Review
Mitochondria
are the best known of the cellular organelles. They had been described during
the 19th century, notably by Kollicker and Fleming. Altman, using Janus green,
was able to stain them in 1890. Structually, the mitochondrion is composed of an
outer trilaminar membrane and an inner trilaminar membrane; the inner one forms
folds which are known as cristae. The space between the two membranes is about
6-10 nm wide.
Mitochondria
as a whole and specifically the cristae vary in size, shape and number not only
in different cells but also in the same cell depending on its functional state.
Mitochondria are present in greater numbers in cells exhibiting high levels of
activity and having more energy requirements. Muscle and grandular tissues fall
in the above category.
DNA
has been found in the mitochondria of animals and
the chloroplasts of plants. Mitochondria are capable of division and are
not generated de novo.
Granules
have been observed in the mitochondria Matrix. Their identity is in question,
however; some believe they might be reservoirs of calcium and other divalent
ions. Phosphate is taken up with CaČ+ and calcium phosphate deposit may be the
end result.
Mitochondria
are the biochemical power plants of the cell. They recover energy from food
stuffs ( via krebs cycle, or citric acid cycle; tricarboxylic acid cycle and the
respiratory chain) and convert it via phosphorylation into adenosine
triphosphate ( ATP). In this manner they produce the energy necessary for the
metabolic processes.