Mitochondria, the parts of a cell that break down energy, have a breathtaking vitality, researchers say. These dynamic bodies – up to 1,000 in each cell – zoom around, continuously changing shape, dividing into segments and then bonding back together. Source: UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
What Do Mitochondria Do?
The main function that occurs inside mitochondria is a chemical reaction that creates ATP, a molecule that the body uses for energy. The mitochondria also have some other roles that are not as well understood as ATP production.
A mitochondrial function that has recently received attention in the context of health is that of cell regeneration, which involves cell death and renewal.
Energy Production
Energy production is the best-recognized and comprehensively studied aspect of mitochondrial function. The structures within this organelle are able to generate ATP through a multistep chemical process.
During this chemical reaction, ATP is produced from glucose (sugar) and oxygen, and carbon dioxide waste is produced. Two major processes of this production (the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) take place in the mitochondria.2
The ATP that is produced can be stored in the cell. A healthy cell requires efficient production of ATP to meet its energy needs. Source: verywell health
Mitochondria Function in Humans (Parts of a Cell Known as the Energy Factories) | verywell health