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Mitochondrion

The mitochondrion is an organelle most eukaryotic cells host, including plants, animals, fungi, and protozoa. In some cells, there is only a single large mitochondrion; but in most cells, hundreds or thousands of mitochondrion can be found; in highly active cells, more mitochondria are found. The mitochondrion contains its own DNA, and was probably an independent organism back at the dawn of life that was captured and became an inseparable symbiote.

Mitochondria are critical for the production of cellular energy; they function to convert organic material into energy in the form of ATP through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Other functions include apoptosis, cellular proliferation, steroid synthesis, and heat production; there are many others.

As in cell membranes, the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes are composed of phospholipids bilayers studded with proteins. The outer membrane also contains a wide variety of enzymes used in diverse metabolic activities. The inner membrane contains over a hundred polypeptides. The different structures enable the mitochondrion to perform many different processes.

Because their unique DNA is passed only through the mother's egg, mitochondrial DNA can be used in a variety of population genetic studies.

Web Resources On Mitochondrion

Mitochondrion Journal
Mitochondria and ATP

Book Resources On Mitochondrion

Energy and the mitochondrion by David Ezra Green
The mitochondrion; molecular basis of structure and function by Albert L. Lehninger

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