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mitochondrion
[ mahy-tuh-kon-dree-uhn ]
mitochondrion
/ ˌmaɪtəʊˈkɒndrɪən /
noun
- a small spherical or rodlike body, bounded by a double membrane, in the cytoplasm of most cells: contains enzymes responsible for energy production Also calledchondriosome
mitochondrion
/ mī′tə-kŏn′drē-ən /
, Plural mitochondria
- A structure in the cytoplasm of all cells except bacteria in which food molecules (sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids) are broken down in the presence of oxygen and converted to energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondria have an inner and outer membrane. The inner membrane has many twists and folds (called cristae), which increase the surface area available to proteins and their associative reactions. The inner membrane encloses a liquid containing DNA, RNA, small ribosomes, and solutes. The DNA in mitochondria is genetically distinct from that in the cell nucleus, and mitochondria can manufacture some of their own proteins independent of the rest of the cell. Each cell can contain thousands of mitochondria, which move about producing ATP in response to the cell's need for chemical energy. It is thought that mitochondria originated as separate, single-celled organisms that became so symbiotic with their hosts as to be indispensible. Mitochondrial DNA is thus considered a remnant of a past existence as a separate organism.
- See more at cell
mitochondrion
Notes
Derived Forms
- ˌmitoˈchondrial, adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of mitochondrion1
Word History and Origins
Origin of mitochondrion1
Example Sentences
Chloroplasts have their own genome, distinct from the nuclear genome that runs a plant’s cells and the mitochondria that produce energy for the cells.
If mitochondria are the culprit, targeting them could help protect future astronauts.
Another study combined three main puzzle pieces in aging—zombie cells, inflammation, and malfunctioning mitochondria—into a full picture, with the surprise ending that senolytics has multiple anti-aging powers in cells.
Not only do their mitochondria produce little if any of this fuel, they’ve lost many of the genes needed to make it.
“I was completely surprised to see that mitochondria are so important, because they weren’t on our radar,” said Beheshti.
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