Some cells in the body have more mitochondria than others. For example, nerve cells, muscle cells, and liver cells have lots of mitochondria. Bone cells and fat cells have very few mitochondria. Why do muscle cells have more mitochondria than fat cells?

Muscle cells have more mitochondria than fat cells because they require more energy to function. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy currency of the cell. Muscle cells are involved in continuous and intensive activities like contraction and movement, which demand a high amount of energy. Therefore, they have a higher number of mitochondria to meet these energy requirements.

In contrast, fat cells primarily store energy in the form of lipids and do not require as much immediate energy for their functions. As a result, they have fewer mitochondria compared to muscle cells. This difference in mitochondrial content reflects the distinct energy needs and functions of these cell types.