mitochondrial

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.

mitochondrion [(meye-tuh-kon-dree-uhn)]

The cell organelle where much of cellular respiration takes place; the “power plant” of the cell.

Note: Mitochondria probably entered eukaryotes by an act of endosymbiosis, in which one simple cell was absorbed by another.

Note: Mitochondria contain their own DNA. It is by tracing the mitochondrial DNA, which individuals inherit only from their mothers, that genetic linkeages are often traced. (See mitochondrial Eve.)

A cutaway view.

Main Entry: mi·to·chon·dri·on
Pronunciation: "mIt-&-'kän-drE-&n
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural mi·to·chon·dria /-drE-&/
: any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energyfor the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes called also chondriosome —mi·to·chon·dri·al /-drE-&l/ adjective —mi·to·chon·dri·al·ly /-E/ adverb

mitochondrion 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. It consists of two membranes: an outer smooth membrane and an inner membrane arranged to form cristae.

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mi'to·chon'dri·al (-drē-əl) adj.