What is the mitochondria and what is its function?

mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are a double membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic organisms. They are found inside the cytoplasm and essentially function as the cell’s “digestive system.” They play a major role in breaking down nutrients and generating energy-rich molecules for the cell. Many of the biochemical reactions involved in cellular respiration take place within the mitochondria. The term ‘mitochondrion’ is derived from the Greek words “mitos” and “chondrion” which means “thread” and “granules-like”, respectively. It was first described by a German pathologist named Richard Altmann in the year 1890. The most important function of mitochondria is to produce energy through the process of oxidative phosphorylation. It is also involved in the following process: Regulates the metabolic activity of the cell Promotes the growth of new cells and cell multiplication Helps in detoxifying ammonia in the liver cells Plays an important role in apoptosis or programmed cell death Responsible for building certain parts of the blood and various hormones like testosterone and oestrogen Helps in maintaining an adequate concentration of calcium ions within the compartments of the cell It is also involved in various cellular activities like cellular differentiation, cell signalling, cell senescence, controlling the cell cycle and also in cell growth.

Mitochondria is a cell organelle with cell membrane, it is present inside the cell. It's main function is to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This chemical energy is required to carry out the cell's biochemical reactions. The chemical energy produced by mitochondria is stored in a small molecule called ATP( Adenosine triphosphate). In short mitochondria is also called as Power House of the cell.