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

In the brain, blocking this cleanup leads to a buildup of faulty mitochondria that release toxins and trigger neuron death, worsening memory loss and cognitive decline.

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Until now, scientists understood brown fat’s heat production mainly through mitochondria, the energy centers of cells.

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These are not thought to be connected to defective mitochondria.

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

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

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