mitochondrion Biol.
(maɪtəʊˈkɒndrɪən)
Pl. -chondria.
[a. G. mitochondrion (C. Benda 1898, in Arch. f. Anat. u. Physiol. (Physiol. Abth.) 397), f. Gr. µίτος thread + χονδρίον, dim. of χόνδρος granule or lump (of salt).]
An organelle that is present (usu. in great numbers) in the cytoplasm of all cells with a true nucleus and primarily functions to store and release energy by the reactions of the Krebs cycle (see Krebs).
| 1901 Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc. 14 Meves believes that this term [sc. Nebenkern] should lapse, and himself employs for the separate granules Benda's term mitochondria, and for the Nebenkern which may be formed by their union, the term mitochondrial corpuscle. 1911, 1920 [see chondriosome]. 1949 Amer. Jrnl. Physiol. CLVII. 136 The residue..which contained only mitochondria and microsomes was transferred to a vial. 1962 Science Survey III. 169 Each mitochondrion is bounded by an outer limiting membrane, then there is a narrow space and then another membrane bounding an inner chamber. 1964 A. L. Lehninger Mitochondrion p. vii, It is now some fifteen years since the mitochondria were first recognized to be the ‘power plants’ of aerobic cells. 1970 New Scientist 24 Sept. 626/1 The amount of DNA in a chick liver cell mitochondrion..is only about 0·5 per cent of that in a bacterium. 1971 [see Krebs]. |
So mitoˈchondrial a., of or pertaining to a mitochondrion or to mitochondria.
| 1901 [see mitochondrion]. 1920 L. Doncaster Introd. Study Cytol. ii. 23 Some investigators maintain..that every mitochondrial body arises only from a pre-existing one. 1962 Lancet 19 May 1056/1 Increased permeability of the mitochondrial membrane leads to the escape of enzymes and cofactors. 1970 Sci. Amer. Feb. 100/1 Heavy mitochondrial damage was followed by an almost total absence of dehydrogenase activity. |