What process happens in the mitochondria ... ?

Mitochondria is known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell. The function of mitochondria is to synthesize energy from food by oxidation of food.

Mitochondria is the site of respiration in plants and animals. Cellular respiration takes place in mitochondria.

The digested food is carried to cells by the circulatory system. The food is then broken down into pyruvate. The fate of pyruvate depends on the presence of oxygen. In presence of oxygen, products formed are Carbon dioxide, water and energy. In absence of oxygen, products are Lactic acid and energy. In case of plants, in absence of oxygen result into Ethanol and enegy, and the same products are released in case of aerobic as in animals.

The process that occurs in the mitochondria is cellular respiration. It is on the cristae that cellular respiration occurs, where food is converted into another usable form of energy. Most of the energy producing reaction which occur in the mitochondria, happens in the surface of the cristae.