Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A Mitochondrion is a part of a cell where respiration takes place.
Function
Mitochondria provide energy to the cell by respiration.
About Mitochondria
- Mitochondria are used to release the energy from food.
- Cells that need more energy have more mitochondria.
- Sperm cells have a lot of mitochondria to provide the energy needed to swim to the egg cell.
- Mitochondria are found in plant cells, animal cells and fungal cells but are not found in Bacteria.
Examples
| Animal Cell | Sperm Cell | Root Hair Cell | Palisade Cell |
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Key Stage 4
Meaning
A mitochondrion is membrane bound organelle found in eukarytotic cells that is the site of respiration.
Function
- Mitochondria provide energy to the cell by aerobic respiration of glucose.
About Mitochondria
- Mitochondria have their own DNA inside them and are roughly the size of a bacterium which suggests they were once an independent organism that migrated into eukaryotic cells.
- Cells which need a large amount of energy such as muscle cells, sperm cells and root hair cells have a large number of mitochondria.
- Mitochondria are found in plant cells, animal cells, fungal cells and protists but are not found in bacteria or archaea.
Examples
| Animal Cell | Sperm Cell | Root Hair Cell | Palisade Cell |
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References
AQA
- Mitochondria, page 11, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Mitochondria, page 11, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Mitochondria, page 23, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Mitochondria, page 23, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
- Mitochondria, pages 5, 105, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
- Mitochondria, pages 6-7, 134-136, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA