All the biochemical reactions in a cell is catalysed by enzymes. In many
cellular reactions, such as in mitochondria the enzymes for electron
transport chain are located in the membrane of the organelle. If the surface
area of the membrane is large, then a greater number of enzymes can be
present on this membrane. Also, enzymes are arranged in such a manner
that they transfer products from one reaction to other enzyme directly
inside the membrane for a second reaction, therefore the structure of the
membrane is important.
An example of this can be seen during cellular respiration. Within the matrix
of the mitochondria are proteins (enzymes) that take molecules such as
pyruvate and acetyl CoA, and chemically digest them. Proteins embedded
in the inner membrane and enzymes involved in cellular respiration release
water and carbon dioxide from the breakdown of glucose and oxygen. The
mitochondria are the only places in the cell where oxygen is reduced and
eventually broken down into water.
Folding of the internal membrane
facilitates the biochemical reactions
that occur within the mitochondria
thereby making process of ATP
production for the cell more
efficient.