Difference Between Cristae and Cisternae

The key difference between Cristae and Cisternae is that the Cristae are the foldings of the inner mitochondrial membrane while the Cisternae are the flattened structures that make the Golgi apparatus.

Golgi apparatus and mitochondria are two cell organelles that are extremely important for the cellular function. Golgi apparatus consists of vesicles and cisternae. Moreover, it assists with post-translational modifications and protein sorting. On the other hand, mitochondria play an important role in cellular metabolism and ATP production. Therefore, they are the powerhouse of cells. They surround by two membranes where their inner membrane folds into a matrix by making cristae.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Cristae
3. What are Cisternae
4. Similarities Between Cristae and Cisternae
5. Side by Side Comparison – Cristae vs Cisternae in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What are Cristae?

Cristae (singular – crista) are the folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Inner mitochondrial membrane carries out the electron transport chain of the aerobic respiration. Hence, cristae are really important in electron transport chain to facilitate a large surface area to employ molecule transportation.

When there is a greater surface, the efficiency of ATP production increases.  Thus, cristae are necessary to increase ATP production in a cell. Cristae are loaded with ATP synthases and variety of cytochromes. Majority of the biochemical reactions of the mitochondrion occur associated with cristae.

What are Cisternae?

Cisternae (singular – cisterna) are the flattened disk-like structures that make Golgi apparatus. The term Cisternae is also used to refer flattened structures of the endoplasmic reticulum. Cisternae contain different enzymes working within them. One Golgi stack may contain three to twenty cisternae.

However, the majority contains about six cisternae. The major function of the cisternae is the packaging of proteins and polysaccharides. Cis and trans cisternae are two types of cisternae.

What are the Similarities Between Cristae and Cisternae?

• Cristae and cisternae are important for cellular function.
• Both are present in eukaryotic cells.
• They both contain enzymes.

What is the Difference Between Cristae and Cisternae?

Cristae and Cisternae are two structures of mitochondria and Golgi apparatus respectively. The cristae are the folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane while the cisternae are the flattened disk-like structures of Golgi bodies. This is the key difference between Cristae and Cisternae. Moreover, to increase the rate of ATP production, the cristae expand the surface area of the inner mitochondrial membrane. On the other hand, cisternae involve in the modification of proteins into their final products. Cisternae are full with different enzymes while cristae are full with ATP synthases and cytochromes.

Summary – Cristae vs Cisternae

Cellular respiration occurs in mitochondria. The final process of the aerobic respiration (electron transport chain) occurs associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane. Inner mitochondrial membrane folds into the mitochondrial matrix by making structures called cristae. Cristae increase the surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Thus they enhance the electron transport chain and ATP production. On the other hand, cisternae are the flattened disc of Golgi apparatus. They contain different enzymes and involve in the packaging of proteins and polysaccharides. This is the difference between cristae and cisternae.

Reference:

1.Study.com, Study.com. Available here 
2.“Cisterna.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 July 2018. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Animal mitochondrion diagram de’By translated by Tirkfl, original by LadyofHats (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.’0314 Golgi Apparatus a en’By OpenStax –  the TextbookOpenStax Anatomy and PhysiologyPublished May 18, 2016, (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia