Mitochondria: The Batteries of Our Cells

We just saw how carbohydrates are metabolized, either generating storage molecules or breaking down into the single carbon molecule CO2, which we then expel from our bodies by breathing out. We also briefly mentioned that we break down carbohydrates because this allows us to use the energy generated in this process to produce the energy-packed molecule our cells use to fuel all their functions: ATP. We now need to understand how breaking down carbohydrates to CO2 generates most of the ATP carbohydrates produce. This process happens within mitochondria, a part (also called organelle) of our cells that is responsible for many metabolic pathways (including the Krebs cycle we just saw). Mitochondria also generate the largest part of our ATP, through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. They are our main energy power source; in essence, the batteries of our cells.