What is the function of the mitochondria?

The mitochondria is an organelle in the cell which is used as a "power station" to provide the cell with energy in the form of ATP. It uses substrates like glucose, which is broken down in the cytoplasm of the cell by the process of glycolysis, which fuel the electron transport chain found on the inner membrane of the cell. Breaking down the glucose molecule allows electron carrying molecules called co-enzymes to be reduced. The co-enzymes are then transported across the inner membrane of the mitochondria which then transport electrons across the membrane causing the electron acceptors on the membrane to become reduced and co-enzymes to be oxidised. Protons are also released from the co-enzymes, and with the potential energy released by transporting electrons across the membrane, protons diffuse across the membrane to create a concentration gradient. The protons then flow back through the membrane, through the protein channel ATP Synthase, which rotates to produce ATP.