Intermembrane space

An intermembrane space refers to the region of space which occurs between two or more adjacent plasma membranes within a given cellular organelle. Most commonly, the intermembrane space (IMS) describes the narrow region that separates the inner mitochondrial membrane from the outer mitochondrial membrane within a mitochondrion, or for that of the analogous membrane structures within a chloroplast. Similarly, an intermembrane space separates the inner and outer nuclear membranes within the nuclear envelope; however, this region is frequently referred to as the perinuclear space. The IMS of mitochondria is crucial for the coordination of a variety of cellular activities, such as the regulation of cellular respiration and other metabolic functions.