Crista

Cell biology
The
Components of a typical mitochondrion 1 1.1 Porin 2 Intermembrane space 2.1 Intracristal space 2.2 Peripheral space 3 Lamella 3.1 3.11 Inner boundary membrane 3.12 Cristal membrane 3.2 3.3 Cristæ   ◄ You are here 4 5 Matrix granule 6 Ribosome 7 ATP synthase

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2 Intermembrane space

3 Lamella

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5 Matrix granule
6 Ribosome
7 ATP synthase

A crista (/ˈkrɪstə/; plural cristae) is a fold in the of a . The name is from the Latin for crest or plume, and it gives the inner membrane its characteristic wrinkled shape, providing a large amount of surface area for chemical reactions to occur on. This aids aerobic cellular respiration, because the mitochondrion requires oxygen. Cristae are studded with proteins, including ATP synthase and a variety of .

With the discovery of the dual-membrane nature of mitochondria, the pioneers of mitochondrial ultrastructural research proposed different models for the organization of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Three models proposed were:

NADH is oxidized into NAD⁺, H⁺ions, and electrons by an enzyme. FADH₂ is also oxidized into H⁺ ions, electrons, and FAD. As those electrons travel farther through the electron transport chain in the inner membrane, energy is gradually released and used to pump the hydrogen ions from the splitting of NADH and FADH₂ into the space between the inner membrane and the outer membrane (called the intermembrane space), creating an electrochemical gradient.

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