What is respiration performed by?

Cellular respiration is performed by the mitochondria, often referred to as the "powerhouses of the cell." The mitochondria are small, bean-shaped or rod-shaped organelles found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. They are enclosed by two membranes: an outer membrane and an inner membrane.

Here's an overview of the structures involved in cellular respiration:

Outer Mitochondrial Membrane: This membrane surrounds the entire mitochondrion and acts as a protective barrier. It contains proteins called porins that allow small molecules and ions to pass through.

Intermembrane Space: The space between the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes is called the intermembrane space.

Inner Mitochondrial Membrane: The inner membrane is impermeable to most molecules and contains specialized proteins involved in cellular respiration. It is highly folded into structures called cristae, which increase the surface area for efficient energy production.

Cristae: The cristae are shelf-like infoldings of the inner mitochondrial membrane. They contain the electron transport chain, a series of protein complexes responsible for generating an electrochemical gradient used to synthesize ATP.

Matrix: The mitochondrial matrix is the innermost compartment enclosed by the inner membrane. It contains numerous enzymes, including those involved in the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle), as well as DNA, ribosomes, and other molecules necessary for mitochondrial protein synthesis.

Within the mitochondria, specifically in the matrix and the inner mitochondrial membrane, various enzyme complexes, electron carriers, and ATP synthase work together to carry out the different stages of cellular respiration, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, ultimately generating energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - the primary energy currency of the cell.