Mitochondria in plant cells

Mitochondria were first seen in plant cells by Wilhelm Hofmeister in 1851. The morphology of mitochondria varies not only from one cell to another,, but also within the same cell. Depending upon certain functions also, they may change their shape.

The number of mitochondria per plant cell varies but mostly contain several hundred units and is related primarily to the metabolic activity of a particular tissue.

The outer membrane of plant mitochondria comprises only 6.8% of the mitochondrial protein, while the inner mitochondrial membrane accounts for 30% of the total protein.

One of the major functions of mitochondria from all organism is to provide ATP as the principal energy source for the cell. This is true also of plant mitochondria.

Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, involving the uptake of oxygen coupled to generation of the main immediate source of chemical energy in cells, ATP, and the formation of carbon dioxide.

Mitochondria are called the power houses of the cell.
Mitochondria in plant cells