ATP & Mitochondria

Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) is the only energy source for all bodily functions and activities (movements)

When ATP is used for energy production it must be replenished

The body can replenish (recreate) ATP aerobically or anaerobically

Where is one Aerobic Energy System which requires oxygen to replenish ATP and two Anaerobic Energy Systems that can recreate ATP to produce energy without the need of oxygen

Available energy is contained in the bonds between the phosphates and is released when they are broken, which occurs through the addition of a water molecule (a process called hydrolysis). See diagram above.

MITOCHONDRIA

Organelles (specialized structures within a cell performing specific functions) live within almost every cell in our bodies.

Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed to sustain life and support organ function.

mitochondria use over 90% of the oxygen we breathe
there are about 10 million billion (100,000 trillion) mitochondria in an adult human!
about 2 billion mitochondria are made every second throughout a person's life
the lifespan of a mitochondrion averages around 100 days
each mitochondrion contains 17,000 tiny assembly lines for making ATP (energy)
mitochondria are the ONLY organelle that have their OWN DNA
we need to eat ANTIOXIDANTS to balance and counteract the free radicles produced when making ATP
there are also some key lifestyle factors that add to the overall health of the mitochondria- lessen exposure to environmental toxins, intermittent fasting and Keto diets have shown some evidence producing mitochondrial, lessening emotional stress
the stress of exercise actually helps build stronger mitochondrial

MITOCHONDRIAL STRUCTURE

Two specialized membranes encircle each mitochondrion present in a cell, dividing the organelle into a narrow intermembrane space and a much larger internal matrix, each of which contains highly specialized proteins.

The outer membrane of a mitochondrion contains many channels formed by the protein porin and acts like a sieve, filtering out molecules that are too big.

The inner membrane is folded over itself many times; the folds are called cristae. This is where the majority of ATP production happens.

To make certain that only those materials essential to the matrix are allowed into it, the inner membrane utilizes a group of transport proteins that will only transport the correct molecules. Together, the various compartments of a mitochondrion are able to work in harmony to generate ATP in a complex multi-step process.

MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION

Basically, oxygen and glucose go through a reaction that produces with carbon dioxide, water, ATP, and free radicals. While Glucose is the preferred source of energy it does not have to be the only fuel source.

protein
fat

can be broken down to the molecule that goes through the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation to create ATP.

METABOLISM is the sum of all of the chemical reactions that are involved in catabolism and anabolism.

The ATP molecule is at the centre of energy metabolism as it connects anabolic and catabolic reactions.

CATABOLIC- breakdown of food to obtain energy

ANABOLIC- use the energy produced by catabolic reactions to synthesize larger molecules from smaller ones

CATABOLIC reactions produce energy and ANABOLIC reactions use energy, catabolic reactions release more energy than the anabolic reactions use!