mitochondria

[mahy-tuh-kon-dree-uh]

plural noun

Cell Biology.

singular

mitochondrion 

1. organelles that are found in the cytoplasm of cells and that function in energy production.

Other Word Forms

• mitochondrial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mitochondria¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from German Mitochondrion (singular), equivalent to Greek míto(s) “thread” + chóndr(os) “grain, seed, cartilage” + -ia plural of diminutive suffix -ion

Example Sentences

The pro-nuclei are removed from both embryos and the parents' DNA is put inside the embryo packed with healthy mitochondria.

From BBC

“The mitochondria is your bioenergetics, so your energy in your body is produced by all of the mitochondria in your cells,” Beheshti said.

From Salon

"We found that mitochondria provide a kind of decision-making aid: they regulate whether a cell undergoes clean, silent apoptosis or releases pro-inflammatory messenger substances," explains Prof.

From Science Daily

It's a core function, but little studied in the setting of cancer immunology, especially when compared to other organelles like the mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum.

From Science Daily

Studies in Italy and Japan indicate centenarians in these countries have more of a special variant of DNA found in cellular power plants called mitochondria.

From Science Magazine