Mitochondria and Disease

My project will focus on the objective, “compare and contrast the different organelles and their functions”.  My primary focus will be on the mitochondria.  

Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell organelles that generate most of the energy needed to power biochemical reactions.  They are the “powerhouse” of a cell.   Mitochondria are present in all types of human cells.  They produce 90% of the energy the body needs to function. 

Mitochondria are made up of many different parts: DNA, matrix, inter membrane space, ribosome, inner membrane, cristae and the outer membrane.  Each of these different parts plays an important role in the functioning of the mitochondria.  

Mitochondria have different functions inside of the cell.  They produce energy, store calcium, produce heat, and they also help decide which cells are destroyed.  Cell death,  also called apoptosis, is a part of life. As cells become broken, damaged or old, they are cleared away and destroyed.    

Mitochondria are important to the human body.  But what happens when this small organelle becomes damaged or no longer able to function?  Which organs become affected?  What happens when mitochondria become sick?  

The main function of the mitochondria is to provide fuel to the body.  When mitochondria are deprived of ATP, a backlog of unused fuel molecules causes them to become diseased.  

Mitochondrial disease happens when unused oxygen and fuel builds up in cells and cause damage.  Mitochondrial diseases are long-term, inherited disorders. When mitochondrial disease occurs, a number of body systems are compromised causing fatigue, weakness, metabolic strokes, seizures, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, developmental or cognitive disabilities, diabetes mellitus, impaired hearing, impaired vision, impaired growth, liver damage, gastrointestinal conditions, or impaired kidney function.