BIOL 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Covalent Bond, Nucleoid, Cytosol
Document Summary
Cells that are not very metabolically active have very few mitochondria. Semiautonomous organelles: can grow and reproduce themselves. They depend on other parts of the cell for their internal components. Mitochondria: mitochondria have two membranes surrounding an inner compartment, the mitochondrial matrix. The inner membrane is expanded by folds called cristae. Reason they fold is for better use of the surface. The intermembrane space and the mitochondrial matrix. This structure has important connotations for energy conversion. A heavily folded inner membrane that is much larger than the outer membrane. Provides a large surface area on which to conduct chemical reactions. Primary role of mitochondria: convert chemical energy stored into covalent bonds. Sugars, fats and amino acids store a large amount of energy. The breakdown of these molecules into simpler molecules releases energy in the form of atp. Proteins use atp to carry out their functions.
