What is the process called when mitochondria generate energy
by breaking down food?
Mitochondria are the energy-producing organelles present in most eukaryotic cells.
They generate energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) by breaking down
food in a process called cellular respiration. This process involves the complete
breakdown of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids in the presence of oxygen to
produce energy in the form of ATP, CO2, and H2O.
The process of cellular respiration occurs in three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs
cycle, and the electron transport chain. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell
and involves the breakdown of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. Pyruvate
then enters the mitochondria and is further broken down in the Krebs cycle. This
cycle generates the reducing power in the form of NADH and FADH2, which are then
fed into the electron transport chain present in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
The electron transport chain is where the majority of ATP is produced, and it involves
a series of electron transfer reactions that pump protons across the mitochondrial
membrane.
Overall, the process of cellular respiration in mitochondria plays a crucial role in
providing energy to cells for various metabolic processes. Disruption in mitochondrial
function and the cellular respiration process has been linked to several diseases,
including mitochondrial disorders, diabetes, cancer, and aging.
References:
1. Alberts, B., et al. (2002). Molecular biology of the cell. Garland Science.
2. Cooper, G. M. (2000). The cell: a molecular approach. ASM Press.
3. Stryer, L. (1995). Biochemistry. W.H. Freeman and Company.