What role does mitochondria play in cellular respiration?
The process in which food is broken down in the cells to release energy is known as cellular respiration. This process occurs in the mitochondria.
A mitochondrion is composed of two lipid membranes, enclosing the matrix. The inner membrane gets folded to form numerous cristae. Cristae are the main site for ATP production.
During cellular respiration, TCA cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. It results in the complete oxidation of pyruvate by stepwise removal of all hydrogen atoms, which leaves three molecules of CO2.
Electron Transport Chain and Oxidative phosphorylation occur in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. In this process, electrons removed as a part of hydrogen atoms are passed on to molecular oxygen, with the simultaneous synthesis of ATP.