Rameia's Mitochondria Organelle Op-Ed

Mitochondria

The Right Choice for President of The Cell

     I, Ms. Mitochondria am the right choice for The President of The Cell.  Let me tell you about myself. I originally came about from a process called endosymbiosis.  This process resulted in a nucleated cell engulfing an aerobic prokaryote.  This cell relied on protection from the environment of the host and the host relied on on the cell to produce energy.  Eventually the descendants of this cell developed into mitochondria, and because of this process I am here today!

     

     I am shaped in a way that allows me to be productive to the fullest extent.  My outer membrane covers me as like it was skin and my inner membrane folds to create layered structures inside of me called cristae, with fluid inside called the matrix.  The folds in my structure allow me to have a greater surface area.  This greater surface area allows me to have more space for reactions such as cellular respiration to occur.  With this extra space, I can give this cell country the opportunity to get more things accomplished.  The more the better.  I am also a better candidate for this position than these other organelles because I have my DNA and ribosomes.  How many of these organelles can say that, not many. 

    As stated in my poster, I am the powerhouse of the cell.  I provide energy for the cell to make everything run efficiently and smoothly.  Most of my energy comes from ATP (adenosine triphosphate).  This energy is produced inside of me using energy that was stored in foods.  I produce the ATP that supplies the energy for the processes of life.  An animal cell can have from anywhere between 1000 and 2000 mitochondria that help to produce high amounts of energy.  In order to make ATP to produce energy for the cell, I go through the process of cellular respiration.  This involves using oxygen to produce energy.  The benefit of this aerobic process is that it improves your body to make ATP faster.  Did I also forget to mention that I create more than 90% of the energy needed by the human body to grow, as well as metabolize amino acids, fatty acids and steroids.  

    As you can see I am the best woman for this position!  My position in the cell is very important and each and every day I am working hard to produce energy.  A vote for me means a vote for energy, a vote for me means a vote for efficiency, and lastly a vote for me means a vote for a better cell country.  Vote me, Ms. Mitochondria for President of The Cell!

Works Cited

• http://www.mitochondrial.org/index_files/page0001.htm
• http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/mitochondria.html
• http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_mito.html
• http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/mitochondria-14053590
• http://biology.about.com/od/cellanatomy/ss/mitochondria.htm
• http://piktochart.com