MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF ENERGY GENERATION IN THE MITOCHONDRIA (STATISTICS PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
ABSTRACT
Most of the energy carrying molecules adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesized during cellular respiration is produced in the mitochondria through oxidative phosphorylation. By considering properly the process through which the bio-energy is generated in the mitochondria, we have developed a mathematical model for the energy generation based on the physics that would provide insights into the operations in the mitochondria and limiting mechanism. We hope that, with the model, it will be possible for an individual to predict the behavior of the mitochondria and thus energy requirement under certain conditions.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In other to function, every machine requires specific parts such as screws, springs, cams, gears, and pulleys. Likewise, all biological machines must have many well-engineered parts to work. Examples include units called organs such as the liver, kidney and heart. This complex life units are from still smaller parts called cells which in turn are constructed from yet smaller machines known as organelles.
In cell biology, a mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is member-enclosed organelles found in most eukaryotic cells (Henze and Martin 2003).This organelles ranges from 0.5 to 10 micrometer (mm) in diameter. Mitochondria are sometimes described as “cellular power plants” because, they generate most of the cells supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy (Campbell et al 2006). In addition to supplying cellular energy, mitochondria are involved in a range of other processes, such as signaling, cell differentiation, cell death, as well as the control of cell cycle and cell growth (Mc Bride et al 2006). Mitochondria have been implicated in several human diseases, including mitochondria disorders (Garde and Roles 2005) and cordial dysfunction (Lesnefsky et al (2001), and plays a role in the aging process.
Mitochondrial energy generation (production) is a foundation for health and wellbeing. It is necessary for physical strengths, stamina and consciousness. Subtle deficits in mitochondrial function can cause weakness, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. Basically, the mitochondria supply almost all the energy to the cell (90%). Without mitochondria, there is no life, because, as we all know, life requires energy.
