What is the role of mitochondria in cellular metabolism?
Beyond ATP production, mitochondria are integral to cellular metabolism. They are involved in the synthesis of essential biomolecules, including certain lipids and amino acids. Mitochondria also play a role in the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are by-products of oxidative phosphorylation. While ROS can be damaging, they also function as signaling molecules that regulate various cellular processes.
