mitochondria

[ mahy-tuh-kon-dree-uh ]

plural noun

, Cell Biology.

, singular mi·to·chon·dri·on [mahy-t, uh, -, kon, -dree-, uh, n].

1. organelles that are found in the cytoplasm of cells and that function in energy production.

Other Words From

• mi·to·chon·dri·al 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

Damage to mitochondria may be a common factor in spaceflight health risks, the team now concludes.

From Science News For Students

It consists of about 50 proteins that have to be made in different subcompartments of the cell, assembled and fit into the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

From Quanta Magazine

What we found over and over was that something is happening with the mitochondria regulation that throws everything out of whack.

From Singularity Hub 

Without the critical worker, the mitochondria factory goes out of whack, which in turn knocks the cell’s normal metabolism into dysfunction.

From Singularity Hub 

So, some people have argued that really this is closer to an exercise mimetic than drugs that target the mitochondria, for example.

From Freakonomics