Mitochondria(Mt) are the cell's "power stations" because the energy currency for the metabolic processes in the cell is synthesised inside this organelle via aerobic respiration. This process is known as oxidative phosphorylation. Mt is a double membraned, semi-autonomous organelle.
The mitochondrion's structure is specially tailored to the function it performs:
The outer membrane contains carrier proteins that allow pyruvate produced during glycolysis to be transported from the cytoplasm.
The electron transport chain(a series of protein complexes) and ATP synthase are located in the inner membrane to transfer electrons and ATP production respectively.
The inner membrane is folded into numerous pockets called cristae, which raises the surface area: volume ratio.
When proton accumulation occurs, the small intermembrane space between two membranes increases the hydrogen gradient.
Matrix is the core chamber containing the necessary enzymes and pH for the Krebs cycle(oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from pyruvate) to take place.
