Mitochondria are defined as spherical or rod-shaped organelles found within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and are responsible for the production of energy such as ATP, which is necessary for cellular functioning processes. Mitochondria are important for eukaryotic cells. They can reduce fatty acids and other lipids and lengthen fatty acid chains. Membrane-bound hemoprotein subunits are synthesized and assembled in mitochondria. Mitochondria are capable of rapidly growing or producing independently within the cell. Mitochondria have been found to contain a genetic machinery for the synthesis of enzymes and proteins. In this essay I will focus more on the mitochondrial organelle, the site of energy production. Elaboration on how the organelle was first established and isolated from cells. Extending to the size, shape, structural organization of the mitochondrion, even the number of these organelles per cell, their location within the cell. Expanding to the functions of the organelle that acts as a digestive system that engulfs nutrients and breaks them down to create energy for cells for metabolism, the process of creating energy is known as cellular respiration. (scheffler, 2008)THE DISCOVERY OF MITOCHONDRIAMitochondria were observed about 100 years ago by the Swiss anatomist Albert Von Kollicker who teased these organelles and studied their osmotic behavior in different saline solutions. In 1890 Richard Altmann established them and called them “bioblasts”. Carl Benda coined the term mitochondrion which has its origins in the Greek language which meant thread-like granules which could be seen under an optical microscope. In 1900 Michaela introduced the use of Janus B green to stain mitochondria... middle of paper... cells requiring high energy such as muscle cells. It contains two functionally different membranes which are the inner and outer membranes. And between the membranes there is a fluid, the inner membrane protects the matrix of the cell. Mitochondria are a multifunctional organelle, playing different roles with different cells. (roodyn & Wilkies, 1968) References lehninger, A. L. (1965). The mitochondrial molecular basis of structure and function. New York: W. A. ​​Benjamin. roodyn, D. B., & Wilkies, D. (1968). The biosynthesis of mitochondria. London: methuen. Scheffler, i.e. (2008). mitochondria. Canada: John Wiley and Sons. Sheeler, P., & Bianchi, de (1980). Cell biology: structure, biochemistry and function. Canada: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. German, h. (1976). mitochondria: structure, biogenesis and transduction functions. New York: Springer Verlag.