The folds in the inner membrane of the mitochondria are called cristae. They serve to provide a greater surface area for the proton-pump through which protons pass down their concentration gradient through ATP synthase to produce ATP in cellular respiration.
The mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a double membrane-bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. The word mitochondrion comes from the Greek μίτος, mitos, i.e. thread, and χονδρίον, chondrion, i.e. granule or grain-like. Mitochondria range from 0.5 to 1.0 μm in diameter.  The. outer membrane. is. smooth, while the inner membrane is convoluted into folds called cristae in order to increase the surface area. Why are mitochondria called the powerhouse of the cell? because they “burn” or break the chemical bonds of glucose to release energy to do work in a cell. Inside the folds or cristae is a space called the matrix that contains enzymes needed for the Kreb's Cycle? Color and label the matrix yellow on figure 3. FIGURE 3 - MITOCHONDRIA Mitochondria Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the energy molecule used by all cells to do work. For typical liver mitochondria, the area of the inner membrane is about 5x as large as the outer membrane due to cristae. This ratio is variable and mitochondria from cells that have a greater demand for ATP, such as muscle cells, contain even more cristae. The inner membrane of mitochondria is similar in lipid composition to the membrane of bacteria. This phenomenon can be explained by the endosymbiont hypothesis of the origin of mitochondria as prokaryotes internalized by a eukaryotic host cell. The folds in the inner membrane of the mitochondria are called cristae. They serve to provide a greater surface area for the proton-pump through which protons pass down their … concentration gradient through ATP synthase to produce ATP in cellular respiration. 1 person found this useful.  Mitochondria are enclosed by a double-membrane system made up of an inner and an outer membrane. The space between these two membranes is called (surprise!) the intermembrane space. The inner membrane encloses the interior of the mitochondrion, which is known as the mitochondrial matrix. The inner membrane also forms a large number of folds, called cristae, that extend into the matrix. See Fig. The inner mitochondrial membrane is highly folded into structures called cristae, which significantly increase the surface area of the inner membrane. The narrow space between the inner membrane and the outer membranes is known as the intermembrane space. The outer membrane contains a large number of proteins that form pores or channels through the membrane allowing small molecules to pass freely between the intermembrane space and the cytoplasm. Let's review. Mitochondrial cristae are folds of the mitochondrial inner membrane that provide an increase in the surface area. Having more cristae gives the mitochondrion more locations for ATP production to occur. Cristae are folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis takes place on this membrane as part of cellular respiration to create ATP and can be seen in the diagram: Best Answer: The inner membrane of the mitochondrion, the cristae is folded to increase the surface area. The cytochromes of the electron transport chain are located on stalked particles on the christae. The electron transport chain is the main energy (ATP) generating stage aerobic respiration. They are a separate part of the mitochondrion that are attached to the inner membrane. They are derived from the inner membrane, and are pinched off by characteristic protein complexes at the point where they meet the inner membrane (this is called a 'cristal junction'). Mitochondrial cristae are folds of the mitochondrial inner membrane that provide an increase in the surface area. This allows a greater space for processes that happen across this membrane. The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis are the processes which help produce ATP in the final steps of cellular respiration. Cristae are folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The electron transport chain and chemiosmosis takes place on this membrane as part of cellular respiration to create ATP and can be seen in the diagram: Answer by Propsie. Confidence votes 661. The mitochondria itself is not highly folded. The inner membrane of the mitochondria is, and this increases the surface area of the membrane while not changing the volume enclosed by it. The inner membrane contains ATP synthase, which is an enzyme that stimulates the production of ATP, which the cell uses as an energy source. The folded inner membrane of the mitochondria greatly increases the  surface area of the membrane so that carbohydrates (simple sugars)  can combine with oxygen to produce A … TP. + 46 others found this useful.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondrion http://newalrayyan.wikispaces.com/file/view/Chloroplasts%20and%20Mitochondria%20answers.docx/189921658/Chloroplasts%20and%20Mitochondria%20answers.docx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_mitochondrial_membrane http://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_folding_of_the_mitochondrial_inner_membrane_provide http://oregonstate.edu/instruction/bi314/summer09/mito.html http://www.biologyreference.com/Ma-Mo/Mitochondrion.html http://study.com/academy/lesson/mitochondrial-christae-definition-function-quiz.html https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080719211921AAHB95N http://study.com/academy/lesson/mitochondrial-christae-definition-function-quiz.html http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_is_mitochondria_highly_folded
what do the folds in the mitochondria membranes do