Question

The process(es) that occur(s) in the mitochondria is/are:

Answer 1

The mitochondria are involved in processes that produce ATP, such as Glycolysis, transformation of pyruvate into Acetyl CoA and the Krebs Cycle, followed by Oxidative Phosphorylation, where the electron transport chain creates an electrochemical gradient for ATP synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Processes in Mitochondria

The mitochondria are essential organelles within the cell that play a critical role in energy production through a process known as cellular respiration. The process in the mitochondria that occurs is a multi-staged event:

1. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm, breaking down glucose into pyruvate.
2. The transformation of pyruvate into Acetyl CoA happens when it is transported into the mitochondria. This is followed by the Krebs cycle (also known as the Citric Acid Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle) within the inner mitochondrial matrix, producing ATP, NADH, and FADH2.
3. In the final stage, called Oxidative Phosphorylation, NADH and FADH2 deliver electrons to the electron transport chain embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The energy from these electrons is used to pump hydrogen ions across the membrane, creating an electrochemical gradient that drives the synthesis of ATP.

Mitochondria are often described as the "powerhouses" or "energy factories" of the cell because they generate the cell's main energy-carrying molecule, ATP, using oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide as a waste product.