Why are mitochondria called the powerhouse of the cell?

Mitochondria are generally known as the "powerhouse" of the cell because these are the site for the oxidation of foodstuff in Presence of Oxygen and

supply energy to the cell for the completion of innumerable cell activities.

The various chemical events taking place during the breakdown of food and

the production of energy are collectively discussed under the metabolic pathway for the respiratory cycle.

The respiratory cycle or the metabolic pathway is separated into the following phases or pathways.

1. Glycolysis or anaerobic respiration -  Embden-Meyerhoef Parnas pathway.

2. Oxidative  decarboxylation 3. Krebs cycle or Aerobic respiration in mitochondria or tricarboxylic acid cycle or citric acid cycle.