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Mitochondria

Definition

noun, singular: mitochondrion

Spherical or rod-shaped organelles found within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, and are referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell since they act as the site for the production of high-energy compounds (e.g. ATP), which are vital energy source for several cellular processes.


Supplement

They produce large amounts of energy through oxidative phosphorylation of organic molecules during cellular respiration. That is, they are capable of using glucose and oxygen to produce energy (and releasing carbon dioxide and water in the process) for use in many metabolic processes. Thus, it is not surprising to find several mitochondria in high energy-requiring cells, such as muscle cells.

They are semi-autonomous, self-reproducing organelles because they contain their own genome. In fact, their DNA has become an important tool in tracking genetic histories since their genetic material is present in only one copy, and does not recombine in reproduction.

According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria might have been the remnants of early bacteria engulfed by ancient eukaryotic cells a billion years ago that might have evolved and become energy-yielding structures within eukaryotic cells at present.


Word origin: from Gk. mitos - thread + khondrion - little granule.
Related forms: mitochondrial (adjective).
Also known as: chondriosome.
See also: cellular respiration, ATP.


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Re: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?

Just a question about mtDNA: According to the endosymbiontic theory mitochondria were ancient bacteria that survived in an ancient eukaryotic cell and continued to live as part of it as an organelle. So, I suppose, in any eukaryotic cell the mtDNA should be ...

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by kk
Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:29 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?
Replies: 5
Views: 809

Cell Organelles

For example mitochondria freely split and fuse independently of cell division.

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by JackBean
Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:23 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Cell Organelles
Replies: 1
Views: 461

Re: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?

There must be some synchronization cues; otherwise many cells would end up with over- or under-optimal numbers of mitochondria. Since many of the critical proteins in a mitochondrian are nuclear-encoded, the proliferation of the mitochondria can be limited by the availability of ...

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by jonmoulton
Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:24 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?
Replies: 5
Views: 809

How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?

Mitochondria replicate pretty much independently, so I don't think there was any synchronisation.

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by JackBean
Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:38 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?
Replies: 5
Views: 809

How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?

... they replicated separately, so I'm not sure how they stayed together through generations. Was there some sort of chemical messenger that the mitochondria of a cell received to know it was time to replicate? I don't know. Science help.

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by lizzymichigan
Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:06 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: How did endosymbionts coordinate replication?
Replies: 5
Views: 809
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