Question

In the fall of the year, the leaves of some trees change color as chlorophyll begins to break down. What impact does this have on the role of the mitochondria in the cells?

Answer 1

It's main function is to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. The mitochondria take fuel (glucose) and essentially burns it. The energy given off by oxidizing the fuel is harnessed by causing ions to move across a membrane, kind of like pumping water. The ions then flow down through a protein which synthesizes ATP much like the water then flows down through a dam to generate electricity.Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis, which allows plants to absorb energy from light. Chlorophyll molecules are specifically arranged in and around photosystems that are embedded in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. In these complexes, chlorophyll serves two primary functions