Mitochondrial matrix

In the <a href="/facts/Mitochondrion/ErHqrdJ1">mitochondrion</a>, the matrix is the space within the <a href="/facts/Inner_mitochondrial_membrane/IJIE4o0h">inner membrane</a>. It can also be referred as the mitochondrial fluid. The word "matrix" stems from the fact that this space is viscous, compared to the relatively aqueous cytoplasm. The mitochondrial matrix contains the <a href="/facts/Mitochondrial_DNA/goC0ex0X">mitochondrial DNA</a>, <a href="/facts/Ribosome/CF2u2gtg">ribosomes</a>, soluble <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzymes</a>, small organic molecules, <a href="/facts/Nucleotide/pQKEwlJI">nucleotide</a> cofactors, and <a href="/facts/Inorganic_ions/WCgKh7lb">inorganic ions</a>.[1] The enzymes in the matrix facilitate reactions responsible for the production of <a href="/facts/Adenosine_triphosphate/nB9bwgcU">ATP</a>, such as the <a href="/facts/Citric_acid_cycle/EGJL9NXP">citric acid cycle</a>, <a href="/facts/Oxidative_phosphorylation/en2l08P9">oxidative phosphorylation</a>, oxidation of <a href="/facts/Pyruvate/qJTgl4J9">pyruvate</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Beta_oxidation/mbwIMN7D">beta oxidation of fatty acids</a>.
The composition of the matrix based on its structures and contents produce an environment that allows the <a href="/facts/Anabolism/eH3Q5AHF">anabolic</a> and <a href="/facts/Catabolism/CFWUdphX">catabolic</a> pathways to proceed favorably. The <a href="/facts/Electron_transport_chain/QjcIkgeR">electron transport chain</a> and enzymes in the matrix play a large role in the <a href="/facts/Citric_acid_cycle/EGJL9NXP">citric acid cycle</a> and <a href="/facts/Oxidative_phosphorylation/en2l08P9">oxidative phosphorylation</a>. The <a href="/facts/Citric_acid_cycle/EGJL9NXP">citric acid cycle</a> produces <a href="/facts/Nicotinamide_adenine_dinucleotide/BHdLW925">NADH</a> and <a href="/facts/Flavin_adenine_dinucleotide/uzADx3ES">FADH2</a> through oxidation that will be reduced in <a href="/facts/Oxidative_phosphorylation/en2l08P9">oxidative phosphorylation</a> to produce <a href="/facts/Adenosine_triphosphate/nB9bwgcU">ATP</a>.
The cytosolic, <a href="/facts/Intermembrane_space/lEt0NyqY">intermembrane space</a>, compartment has a higher aqueous:protein content of around 3.8 μL/mg protein relative to that occurring in mitochondrial matrix where such levels typically are near 0.8 μL/mg protein. It is not known how mitochondria maintain <a href="/facts/Osmosis/vYPfyX76">osmotic</a> balance across the inner mitochondrial membrane, although the membrane contains <a href="/facts/Aquaporin/d9pI3N4C">aquaporins</a> that are believed to be conduits for regulated water transport. Mitochondrial matrix has a pH of about 7.8, which is higher than the pH of the intermembrane space of the mitochondria, which is around 7.0–7.4. Mitochondrial DNA was discovered by Nash and Margit in 1963. One to many double stranded mainly circular DNA is present in mitochondrial matrix. Mitochondrial DNA is 1% of total <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> of a cell. It is rich in <a href="/facts/Guanine/hoTSpz0x">guanine</a> and <a href="/facts/Cytosine/JW20j33u">cytosine</a> content, and in humans is maternally derived. Mitochondria of mammals have 55s ribosomes.

Mitochondrial matrix open-in-new

Mitochondrial matrix