Mitochondria
Tiny parts of a cell where energy is released from food. This process is called respiration.
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Analogy
Small power stations inside the cell.
In practice
Muscle cells have many mitochondria because they use a lot of energy.
Practice
Flashcards
- Where does respiration release energy in a cell?In the mitochondria.
Interview questions
- Explain how a sperm cell is adapted to its function.
- It has a tail to swim
- It has many mitochondria for energy
- It carries half the genetic information in its nucleus
Questions people ask
Why are mitochondria called the powerhouse of the cell?
They are where aerobic respiration takes place. Respiration uses oxygen to release energy from glucose, and the cell uses that energy to move, grow and build molecules. Because they supply nearly all of this usable energy, they get the nickname powerhouse, like a power station.
Do plant cells have mitochondria?
Yes. Plant cells respire all the time, day and night, so they need mitochondria just like animal cells. People often think plants only make energy by photosynthesis. Photosynthesis makes glucose, but plants then release the energy from that glucose in their mitochondria.