
Related to mitochondria: Mitochondrial disease, Mitochondria DNA
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n. pl. mi·to·chon·dri·a (-drē-ə)
A spherical or elongated organelle in the cytoplasm of nearly all eukaryotic cells, containing genetic material and many enzymes important for cell metabolism, including those responsible for the conversion of food to usable energy.

[New Latin : Greek mitos, warp thread + Greek khondrion, diminutive of khondros, grain, granule; see ghrendh- in Indo-European roots.]

mi′to·chon′dri·al (-drē-əl) adj.


Structures in a cell’s cytoplasm that play a major role in the breakdown of food molecules to release energy.


n. mitocondria, filamentos microscópicos del citoplasma que constituyen la fuente principal de energía de la célula.
References in periodicals archive ?
IN recent decades, the biologists focusing on mitochondria of cell are revolutionising the concept of health.
Mitochondria are small double--membrane bound organelles found at high copy numbers within all eukaryotic cells.
Macpherson: Mitochondria are tiny parts of our cells that are responsible for energy generation, sex hormone synthesis, immune activity, cholesterol manufacture, and so much more.
the author of Mitochondria and the Future of Medicine: The Key to
A better understanding of the effects of aging on mitochondria could reveal more about the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and age-related brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Mitochondria, the "energy centers" of the cells, are essential for maintaining good health.
Scientists have discovered a way to support mitochondria, which in turn, has beneficial effects across the entire cell and slows the processes normally associated with aging.
The role of mitochondria In earlier experiments, the authors of the new study found that caffeine levels equivalent to around four cups of coffee improved the function of endothelial cells, which line the inside of blood vessels.
Just like a combustion engine burning fuel to power the pistons, healthy heart cells consume fuel molecules to create the necessary energy to keep the heart pumping.This essential energy production takes place inside mitochondria, the self-contained 'powerplant' organelles inside cells.
The team used genetically modified mice that mimic the increased fatty acid uptake (lipid overload) that characterizes diabetes to investigate the consequences of cardiac lipid overload on mitochondria.
Later studies from the same group found a mitochondrial deleterious effect of leptin that made cardiac mitochondria more sensitive to calcium overload [7]; additionally, there was evidence of OB-Rb in mitochondria isolated from rat hearts [8].
It's the relationship between bacteria and mitochondria, and eventually gum disease.