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Biology vocabulary · Cells and Levels of Organization

Mitochondrion

Meaning in biology, with examples

/ˌmaɪtəˈkɑːndriən/nounCore term

In biology, mitochondrion means: An organelle that releases energy from food molecules and stores it as ATP through aerobic respiration. It has two membranes and its own small set of DNA.

In Turkish: mitokondri

How it is used

Almost always used in the plural, mitochondria. School biology calls it 'the powerhouse of the cell'. Researchers talk about mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial function and mitochondrial disease. In humans, mtDNA is inherited from the mother.

Example sentences

  1. Muscle cells contain large numbers of mitochondria because they need a lot of ATP.

  2. The drug damaged the inner membrane of the mitochondrion.

Common collocations

  • mitochondrial DNA
  • inner mitochondrial membrane
  • mitochondrial function
  • mitochondrial disease
  • organelleA small structure inside a cell that has a specific job, such as the nucleus, mitochondria or chloroplasts. Most organelles are surrounded by their own membrane.
  • cellular respirationThe process by which cells break down glucose and other food molecules to release energy and store it as ATP. When oxygen is used, carbon dioxide and water are produced.
  • ATPShort for adenosine triphosphate, the molecule that cells use to store and transfer energy. Breaking off one of its phosphate groups releases energy for cell work.
  • eukaryoteAn organism whose cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Animals, plants, fungi and protists are all eukaryotes.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Cells and Levels of Organization

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