MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -In contrast to the inner membrane, the outer mitochondrial membrane is freely permeable to small molecules. This is because it contains proteins called porins, which form channels that allow the free diffusion of molecules smaller than about 6000 daltons.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mitochondrial porins, or voltage-dependent anion-selective channels (VDAC) allow the passage of small molecules across the mitochondrial outer membrane, and are involved in complex interactions regulating organellar and cellular metabolism.

Detailed explanation-3: -The mitochondrial outer membrane separates the intermembrane space from the cytosol. The whole exchange of metabolites, cations and information between mitochondria and the cell occurs through the outer membrane.

Detailed explanation-4: –Outer membrane-It is a phospholipids bilayer which has several integral membrane proteins called the porins. It separates the inside organelle from the rest of the cell.