Mitochondria Mitochondria are one of the most important organelles in the cell. Their number in each cell is determined by the type of such cells, it can be of different shapes, sizes and forms. Its function is so important that if a person does not have a functional mitochondria, the person will rarely live because all the biochemical process of the body are performed by the mitochondria. Functions Its main function is the production of energy inform of ATP which is used for cells survival and functions
It plays a role in apoptosis (programmed cell death) which is one of the means of getting rid of unwanted, deformed and excess cells of the body during development. It is also involved in the production and synthesis of many cell substances that are cell specific for instance it is involved in the production of blood and hormones, synthesis of neurotransmitters, cholesterol metabolisms and detoxification of ammonia It plays a role in the protein biosynthesis and also contains many transport system s for transporting materials in and out of the cell.
It also one of the storage tank for calcium in the body. Therefore if an individual lost the function of the mitochondria, all the important chemical processes of the body will be lost of impaired this will definitely lead to the death of such individual.
References:
Mitochondria (2005): http://www. ruf. rice. edu/~bioslabs/studies/mitochondria/mitofunction. html Retrieval Date: May 24, 2008. Russell P. Saneto (2004),Mitochondria: http://www. epilepsy. com/epilepsy/mitochondrial_definition. Retrieval Date: May 24, 2008.