How do Mitochondria and Cytoplasm work together?

The link reaction, krebs, and oxidative phosphorylation occur in the cytoplasm, producing ATP (as well as some other useful products too), which can then pass into the cytoplasm for use in cell reactions requiring energy. In the cytoplasm, the reactions that generate pyruvate, which is required for the link reaction to occur, occur. Two phosphate molecules are added to each end of the linear molecule to form 1,6 bis-phosphate. This is cleaved in two to make two molecules of pyruvate.

Both the cytoplasm and mitochondria play a role in cellular respiration. The cytoplasm is the site of glycolysis, the first step in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration; the pyruvate generated in glycolysis enters the mitochondria to continue the respiration process, ultimately producing ATP. The cytoplasm also contains molecules and enzymes required for a variety of metabolic pathways that support mitochondrial function.