Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)

Annotation

coordinate with organ /metab but not also organ /ultrastruct for metabolic studies; coordinate with organ /ultrastruct for morphological studies; mitochondria of vascular or smooth muscle tissue goes under MITOCHONDRIA, MUSCLE

DUI

D008928 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0013938

History note

MITOCHONDRIAL CONTRACTION was heading 1969-96 (was see under MITOCHONDRIA 1975, was Prov 1969-74)

Public note

MITOCHONDRIAL CONTRACTION was heading 1975-96 (see under MITOCHONDRIA 1975)