mitochondrion Article

What do the mitochondria do?

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Known as the “powerhouses of the cell,” mitochondria produce the energy necessary for the cell’s survival and functioning. Through a series of chemical reactions, mitochondria break down glucose into an energy molecule known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used to fuel various other cellular processes. In addition to producing energy, mitochondria store calcium for cell signaling, generate heat, and are involved in cell growth and death.