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Mitochondria definitions

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  • Mitochondria
    Double-membraned organelles with their own DNA, crucial for ATP production and resource exchange within cells.
  • Outer Membrane
    The boundary layer containing porin proteins, allowing selective entry of molecules into the organelle.
  • Porin Proteins
    Channel-forming proteins in the outer boundary, enabling passage of ions and small molecules.
  • Intermembrane Space
    Aqueous region between the two boundaries, chemically similar to cytosol and containing cytochrome c.
  • Cytochrome c
    Electron-carrying protein in the intermembrane region, essential for the electron transport chain.
  • Inner Membrane
    Impermeable boundary housing electron transport proteins and ATP synthase, vital for energy production.
  • Cristae
    Folds of the inner boundary that increase surface area, maximizing sites for energy-generating proteins.
  • ATP Synthase
    Enzyme complex embedded in the inner boundary, responsible for synthesizing ATP from ADP and phosphate.
  • Mitochondrial Matrix
    Innermost compartment containing DNA, ribosomes, enzymes, and the site of the citric acid cycle.
  • Mitochondrial DNA
    Circular genetic material within the matrix, encoding some organelle-specific proteins and RNAs.
  • Ribosomes
    Protein-synthesizing structures within the matrix, enabling partial independence from nuclear instructions.
  • Citric Acid Cycle
    Metabolic pathway in the matrix, generating electron carriers for the electron transport chain.
  • Microtubules
    Cytoskeletal elements facilitating organelle movement and positioning within the cell.
  • Tubular Networks
    Fused organelle structures formed for efficient resource sharing and enhanced energy production.
  • Endosymbiotic Origin
    Evolutionary theory explaining the organelle's prokaryotic ancestry and retention of its own genome.