what does mitochondria do

Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell organelles that generate most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell's biochemical reactions. They are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, as their main function is to produce the energy necessary to power cells. This energy is generated in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the energy currency of the cell. In addition to energy production, mitochondria are also involved in other tasks such as signaling between cells, cell death (apoptosis), ion homeostasis, and ROS production and consumption. They have their own genetic material, called mitochondrial DNA, and mutations in this DNA or in the genomic DNA in the nucleus of the cell can lead to mitochondrial diseases that can affect many organs of the body in different ways