Page 100 - Radiation Safety

Mitochondrion

• A mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-enclosed

cellular organelle.

• Their main function is to convert the potential energy (via

electron transport) of food molecules into ATP.

• The outer membrane encloses the entire organelle and contains

channels made of protein complexes through which molecules

and ions can move in and out of the mitochondrion.

• The inner membrane, folded into cristae, encloses the matrix

containing several protein complexes ex: ATP synthetase

enzyme molecules, which produce ATP.