Mitochondria

cells · energy · biology

The cell's powerhouse. Mitochondria are often called the powerhouse of the cell because they take the food you eat and convert it into a special energy molecule called ATP that powers almost everything your body does, from thinking to moving to growing.

Double-walled structures. Mitochondria have two layers of membrane wrapped around them, kind of like a cell within a cell, and this special structure helps them do their energy-making job really efficiently.

Recently discovered. Scientists didn't figure out mitochondria existed until 1857 when Albert von Kölliker spotted them in insect muscles, and it took another 40 years for Carl Benda to give them their name in 1898.

Found almost everywhere. Mitochondria live inside the cells of animals, plants, and fungi, so they're one of the most important organelles in living things on Earth.