Mitochondria
by: Jennifer Alvarado p-4
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are small organelles floating throughout the cell. Some cells have several thousand mitochondria while others have none. Neuron don’t need as many. If a cell feels it's not getting enough energy to survive, more mitochondria can be created. Sometimes a mitochondria can grow larger or combine with other mitochondria. It all depends on the needs of the cell.
Structure
- Mitochondria have a double membrane structure
- There is single outer membrane and a folded inner membrane
- Sac with two inner compartments, which are separated by the inner membrane
- The first compartment is between the outer and inner membrane
- The outer compartment is inside the inner membrane
What does Mitochondria do?
How does it work?
In nearly every cell in the body, Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy (called ATP) that the cell needs to function. Cells make up tissues and organs in our bodies, for example the heart and liver.
Where does it come from?
How it is inherited
Nuclear DNA has two copies per cell (except for sperm and egg cells), one copy is inherited from the father and the other from the mother. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother and each mitochondrial organelle contains multiple mtDNA copies.
During cell division, the existing mitochondria separate randomly between two new cells, then those mitochondria create more copies. As mtDNA is copied, the mitochondria multiply and can create random mutations.
If a few of the mtDNA copies inherited from the mother are defective, the mitochondrial division can cause most of the defective copies to end up in just one of the new mitochondria.
What is Mitochondrial Disease?
Mitochondrial Disease Symptoms
- Breathing problems
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Developmental delay
- Muscle weakness
- Tremors
- Loss of hearing or deafness
- Chronic fatigue
- Stomach problems
- Eye problems