Review of the oxidative capabilities of the mitochondrial energy apparatus

Tsekhomsky Alexander Vyacheslavovich, Malai Dmitry Alexandrovich, Peylivanyan Eleonora Georgievna

Mitochondria have broad “powers" to oxidize various substrates. Oxidation occurs on specific organelles of mitochondria – crystals, which form the oxidizing apparatus. The crystals contain special structures on which a huge number of enzymes are located. The enzymatic aggregate has a special effect on the substrate complexes, splitting and hydrolyzing them. But hydrolysis is not the only mechanism of substrate transformation. The article will consider in detail the mechanisms of modification of such substrate units as proteins and low molecular weight compounds (glucose and vitamins). In addition, the features of the use of energy by mitochondria to perform oxidative processes and store energy in the form of a universal carrier – adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the use of their thermoregulatory functions – the release of heat into the external environment will be considered. The result of the work will be a detailed overview of the functions of the mitochondrial energy apparatus in eukaryotic cells.

Keywords:mitochondria, energy apparatus, ATP, crystals, mechanism, hydrolysis.