Monday, August 12, 2013

Mitochondria - Powerhouses

Is the word mitochondria still part of your vocabulary or did it disappear as soon as you passed the biology quiz in high school? Do you know what they are? According to Biology-On Line, mitochondria are tiny spherical or rode shaped organs that live inside cells (but outside the nucleus) and that orchestrate the biochemical processes of energy production. Sometimes referred to as the powerhouse of the cell they are the vital energy source for several cellular processes, including the production of high-energy compounds such as adenosine triphosphate or ATP. Without these power plants, the human organism, especially brain function, would grind to a halt. Interestingly enough, mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) is inherited by an offspring from its mother. Maternal inheritance enables the transmission of mtDNA to be traced down a single line of ancestors through many generations. So, energy powerhouses as well a your genetic inheritance history. And there’s more. See you tomorrow!

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