Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell because they
“burn” or break the chemical bonds of glucose to release energy to do
work in a cell. Remember that this energy originally came from the
sun and was stored in chemical bonds by plants during
photosynthesis. Glucose and other carbohydrates made by plants
during photosynthesis are broken down by the process of aerobic
cellular respiration (requires oxygen) in the mitochondria of the
cell. This releases energy (ATP) for the cell. The more active a
cell (such as a muscle cell), the more mitochondria it will have. The
mitochondria are bout the size of a bacterial cell and are often
peanut-shaped. Mitochondria have their own DNA and a double
membrane like the nucleus and chloroplast. The outer
membrane is smooth, while the inner membrane is convoluted into
folds called cristae in order to increase the surface area.
1. Why are mitochondria called the powerhouse of the cell?
2. What cell process occurs in the mitochondria?
3. Why do some cells have MORE mitochondria? Give an example.
4. What simple sugar is broken down in the mitochondria?
5. Where does the energy in glucose come from ORIGINALLY?
6. Where is this energy stored in glucose?
7. Why is cellular respiration an aerobic process?
8. What energy is released when the chemical bonds of glucose are
broken?
9. Name two other organelles besides the mitochondria that
contain DNA and have a double membrane.
1
10. Describe the outer membrane of the mitochondria.
11. Why is the inner mitochondrial membrane folded?
12. What are the folds called?
Color and label the outer membrane pink and the cristae
red on figure 3. This greatly increases the surface area of the
membrane so that carbohydrates (simple sugars) can combine with
oxygen to produce ATP, adenosine triphosphate (the energy
molecule of the cell). The electron transport chain takes place
across the membranes of the cristae (crista, singular). Inside the
folds or cristae is a space called the matrix that contains enzymes
needed for the Kreb's Cycle? Color and label the matrix yellow
on figure 3.
FIGURE 3 - MITOCHONDRIA
Mitochondria
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the energy molecule used by
all cells to do work. It is a nucleotide consisting of a nitrogen-
containing base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine), a 5-
carbon sugar, and 3 phosphate groups. ATP is able to store and
2
transport chemical energy within cells. The LAST TWO phosphate
groups (PO4), are joined by HIGH-ENERGY bonds. When these bonds
are broken, energy is released for cells to use and ADP forms.
Enzymes help to break and reform these high-energy bonds.
13. What does ATP stand for?
14. What three main things make up an ATP molecule?
15. How many high-energy bonds does ATP contain?
16. Where are these high-energy bonds found in ATP?
17. What helps weaken these bonds so energy can be released and
then later help reform them?
18. When ATP loses a phosphate group __________ is released for
cells and a molecule of _________ forms.
In Figure 4, COLOR the 5-carbon sugar RED and LABEL it RIBOSE.
COLOR and LABEL the nitrogen-base DARK BLUE. COLOR and
LABEL the 3 phosphate groups YELLOW, and COLOR & LABEL the 2
high-energy bonds GREEN.
FIGURE 4 – ATP MOLECULE
Questions:
19. What is the energy molecule of the cell called?
20. What macromolecule made by plants is "burned" in the mitochondria?
3
21. Where is chlorophyll found in the chloroplast?
22. In which part of a plant would you expect to find the most chloroplasts and
why?
23. How would the number of mitochondria in an insect's wing compare to the
amount found in other cells in an insect's body? Explain your answer.
24. What are the raw materials for photosynthesis?
25. What product of photosynthesis is used in cellular respiration?
26. What is the advantage of having a folded inner membrane in the
mitochondria?
27. What is the energy for photosynthesis?
28. Besides chlorophyll, what other pigments are found in the chloroplasts?
