In the preceding lesson, you learned that photosynthesis happens in the chloroplast of plant cells. Respiration, on the other hand, takes place in the mitochondria of plant and animal cells. The structure of this organelle has been studied using the electron microscope. The mitochondrion consist of two membranes. The outer membrane encloses the organelle. The inner mebrane , known as cristae, folds back and forth into the interior of the mitochondrion.
The function of mitochondrion may be compared to that of a jeepney engine. Both release energy from fuel. In a jeepney engine, there is rapid burning causes the wheels to turn and the jeepney to move. But much of the released energy is lost as heat.
In the mitochondrion, the energy lost as heat is less. Sugar molecules breaks down little by little and the energy released is trapped at once in ATP. Thus, not much energy is lost or wasted.
Glycolysis
This process occurs in the cytoplasm. In a series of chemical reactions, glucose a 6 carbon sugar, breaks down into two pyruvates each consisting of 3 carbons. The energy released from glucose is trapped in ATP molecules. The process eventually yields a net gain of 2 ATP molecules and also produce 2 NADH. NADH is an electron carrier molecule the temporarily restored energy.
You should include illustrations of the processes that occur in the mitochondria. Plus there are so many more processes that occur there