About mitochondria

Mitochondria are cellular organelles found in all cell types. They are called “power plants” because they contain oxidation-reducing enzymes necessary for respiration. Breathing organisms produce the energy required, and this energy is stored in ATP molecules.
Mitochondria have their own genetic material – mitochondrial DNA – which contains genetic information necessary for the synthesis of respiratory enzymes.
Mitochondria were elongated form of vesicles, organelles are spherical, oval or rod form, which are formed by a double membrane, a system of tanks and tube and stroma (matrix). Mitochondria are composed of:
– Coating
– Smooth outer membrane
– Internal membrane folded, the crystal formed by invagination enters the stroma without compartmentalizing it completely, greatly increasing its surface. The internal membrane observed that some granules are accumulated certain enzymes involved in cell energy processes.
Mitochondria are formed by division and transmit hereditary through the maternal line (because eggs during fertilization, which are large cells, cytoplasmic organelles involved with, while the sperm, which have few mitochondria, participates only in the nucleus).
Mitochondria have the following roles:
– Cellular respiration
– Extra-nuclear heredity
– Oxidative phosphorylation.
Oxidative processes in mitochondria generates superoxide anion as a byproduct, hydrogen peroxide.