mitochondrial

American  

[mahy-tuh-kahn-dree-uhl] / ˌmaɪ təˈkɑn dri əl /

adjective

1. relating to mitochondria.

---

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

See Examples For:

mitochondrial

The team detected several human mitochondrial DNA lineages, as well as a diverse microbiome made up of bacteria, fungi and salt-loving microorganisms.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

"These findings suggest that specific components of the Mediterranean diet may directly influence mitochondrial biology," said USC Leonard Davis School Dean and USC Distinguished Professor Pinchas Cohen, the study's senior author.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026

Yet mitochondrial DNA is transmitted only through mothers.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026

Three males shared the same mitochondrial lineage, whereas three females each had a different one.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 7, 2026

In 1994 Neel and Wallace sifted through mitochondrial DNA from eighteen widely dispersed Indian groups, looking for mutations that had occurred since their common ancestors left Asia.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann