
Mitochondria can vary greately in both size (0.5 micrometers - 10 micrometers) and number (1 - over 1000) per cell. However, regardless of their size, number per cell , plant or animal origin, they have vary similar structures.
They are double membrane structures: having an inner membrane and an outer membrane.
There is a space between the inner and outer membranes called the intermembrane space.
There is the space called the matrix that is bounded by the inner membrane
The inner membrane is also very convoluted. The convolutions are called cristae.
the protein and phospholipid composition of the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes are very different.
return to outline