What is the function of a mitchochondrion?
Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses of the cell" because their primary function is to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of the cell, through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. They also play crucial roles in regulating cellular metabolism, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and maintaining cellular calcium levels. Additionally, mitochondria are involved in the production of certain metabolites and the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are important for signaling processes within the cell.