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mitochondria
- 4 dictionary resultsmi⋅to⋅chon⋅dri⋅on
[mahy-tuh-kon-dree-uh
n] 
–noun, plural -dri⋅a [-dree-uh] . Cell Biology.
[-dree-uh] . Cell Biology. | an organelle in the cytoplasm of cells that functions in energy production. |
Origin:
1900–05; < Gk míto(s) thread + chóndrion small grain, equiv. to chóndr(os) grain, corn + -ion dim. suffix
1900–05; < Gk míto(s) thread + chóndrion small grain, equiv. to chóndr(os) grain, corn + -ion dim. suffix
Related forms:
mi⋅to⋅chon⋅dri⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To mitochondria
| mi·to·chon·dri·on (mī'tə-kŏn'drē-ən) 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. Also called chondriosome. [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. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
mitochondria
1901, from Ger., coined 1898 by microbiologist Carl Benda (1857-1933), from Gk. mitos "thread" + khondrion "little granule."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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| mitochondrion (mī'tə-kŏn'drē-ən) Pronunciation Key
Plural mitochondria A structure in the cytoplasm of all cells except bacteria in which food molecules (sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids) are broken down in the presence of oxygen and converted to energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondria have an inner and outer membrane. The inner membrane has many twists and folds (called cristae), which increase the surface area available to proteins and their associative reactions. The inner membrane encloses a liquid containing DNA, RNA, small ribosomes, and solutes. The DNA in mitochondria is genetically distinct from that in the cell nucleus, and mitochondria can manufacture some of their own proteins independent of the rest of the cell. Each cell can contain thousands of mitochondria, which move about producing ATP in response to the cell's need for chemical energy. It is thought that mitochondria originated as separate, single-celled organisms that became so symbiotic with their hosts as to be indispensible. Mitochondrial DNA is thus considered a remnant of a past existence as a separate organism. See more at cell, cellular respiration. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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