Mitochondria Junction—What’s Your Function?
We all know that the mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, but did you know they do more than produce energy? Mitochondria “generate the majority of our adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell. [They] are also involved in other tasks, such as signaling between cells and cell death, otherwise known as apoptosis.”
In order to understand what all mitochondria can do, it is important to better understand their structure. “Mitochondria are small, often between 0.75 and 3 micrometers and are not visible under the microscope unless they are stained. Unlike other organelles (miniature organs within the cell), they have two membranes, an outer one and an inner one. Each membrane has different functions. Mitochondria are split into different compartments or regions, each of which carries out distinct roles.” Some of the major regions include the outer membrane, where “small molecules can pass freely through the outer membrane. This outer portion includes proteins called porins, which form channels that allow proteins to cross. The outer membrane also hosts a number of enzymes with a wide variety of functions.” Next is the intermembrane space, the area between the inner and outer membranes. The inner membrane then “holds proteins that have several roles. Because there are no porins in the inner membrane, it is impermeable to most molecules. Molecules can only cross the inner membrane in special membrane transporters. The inner membrane is where most ATP is created.” Next are the cristae, also known as “the folds of the inner membrane. They increase the surface area of the membrane, therefore increasing the space available for chemical reactions.” Then we enter the matrix, although sadly without Keanu Reeves. “This is the space within the inner membrane. Containing hundreds of enzymes, it is important in the production of ATP. Mitochondrial DNA is housed here.” It is also important to note that different types of cells have different numbers of mitochondria. “For instance, mature red blood cells have none at all, whereas liver cells can have more than 2,000. Cells with a high demand for energy tend to have greater numbers of mitochondria. Around 40 percent of the cytoplasm in heart muscle cells is taken up by mitochondria.”
So now that we understand how mitochondria are built, we can further explore their functions. In addition to producing energy and aiding in apoptosis, mitochondria play a role in storing and regulating calcium. Calcium, in turn, is extremely important to the human body for a variety of reasons, including muscle function, fertilization, blood clotting, regulating cellular metabolism, steroid synthesis, hormone signaling, and more. Mitochondria can also generate heat. By issuing a tissue called brown fat, mitochondria enable a function called proton leak to generate heat, known also as non-shivering thermogenesis. “Brown fat is found at its highest levels in babies, when we are more susceptible to cold, and slowly levels reduce as we age.”[1]
If you are interested in giving a boost to your mitochondria, why not give Bod•ē TEN a try? This ultra-premium nutritional supplement that enhances cellular energy production, increases stamina, and reduces oxidative stress.* Working at the cellular level, this proprietary formula provides essential nutrients needed to support your body’s mitochondria and power your body to its fullest potential!*
TEN is a potent supplement, be sure to take with a meal or a full stomach.
[1] Newman, Tim. “Mitochondria: Form, Function, and Disease.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 8 Feb. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320875.php.