mitochondrial
Americanadjective
Explanation
Anything mitochondrial has to do with the tiny energy-producing organelles in a cell. Mitochondrial diseases result in damage to cells when they can't generate enough energy. Mitochondrial comes from mitochondria, those billions and billions of minuscule parts of a cell that act as its battery, generating energy to keep it functioning. A German microbiologist coined the word from Greek roots mitos, "thread," and khondrion, "little granule." Mitochondrial DNA is the specific genetic material within mitochondria; and mitochondrial therapies can involve replacing parts of a person's mitochondria in order to treat or prevent certain diseases.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This mitochondrial fusion protein is found in hypothalamic MC4R neurons and plays a role in maintaining mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026
The researchers found that older adults who followed a Mediterranean diet most closely had higher blood levels of two mitochondrial microproteins called humanin and SHMOOSE.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
Humanin, SHMOOSE, and related mitochondrial microproteins could eventually help scientists determine which dietary patterns are producing beneficial cellular effects in a particular person.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
Three males shared the same mitochondrial lineage, whereas three females each had a different one.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026
Indian and European mitochondrial DNA are strikingly different.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
