Table of Contents
Structure
Mitochondria are the power station of eukaryotic cells.
The inner membrane contains proteins and enzymes involved in aerobic cellular respiration, is convoluted and form Cristae, significantly increasing surface area for respiration.
Evidence of endosymbiotic origin
Mitochondria are derived from a process described by the endosymbiotic theory whereby aerobic prokaryotes were engulfed by a protoeukaryote. In this mutualistic arrangement, the prokaryote detoxified the deadly O2 gas in the environment and used it to fully break down glucose to yield many ATP molecules. Evidence for this theory comes from the independent replication of the mitochondria, the bacterial-like mitochondrial DNA, the bacterial-like mitochondrial ribosomes, the bacterial lipids found in the inner membrane and the eukaryotic nature of the outer membrane. Mitochondria are genomically similar to bacteria of the order Rickettsiales. Some bacteria of this order are still free-living and some are intracellular pathogens.
