Significance of Mitochondria

Mitochondria are rod-shaped organelles that can be considered the power generators of the cell, converting oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the chemical energy "currency" of the cell that powers the cell's metabolic activities. This process is called aerobic respiration and is the reason animals breathe oxygen. Without mitochondria (singular, mitochondrion), higher animals would likely not exist because their cells would only be able to obtain energy from anaerobic respiration (in the absence of oxygen), a process much less efficient than aerobic respiration. In fact, mitochondria enable cells to produce 15 times more ATP than they could otherwise, and complex animals, like humans, need large amounts of energy in order to survive.

Mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. These organelles are found in virtually all of our body’s cells and are responsible for generating the bulk of cellular ATP.  In addition, the organelle plays a central role in apoptosis, ion homeostasis, intermediary metabolism, and biosynthesis.  Studies during the past 25 years have demonstrated a clear role of the mitochondrion in rare, inborn errors of metabolism.  More recent studies have implicated mitochondrial dysfunction in a variety of common human diseases, such as diabetes, neurodegeneration, and the aging process itself.

Dr. Vamsi Mootha in Mootha Labs

Contrary to popular belief, the mitochondrion is incredibly dynamic.  Its protein composition and functional properties vary across cell types, remodel during development, and respond to external stimuli.  Mitochondria contain their own genome (referred to as mtDNA) which encode a mere 13 proteins.  All the other estimated 1000+ proteins are encoded in the nuclear genome and imported into this cellular compartment.

Mootha's Laboratory uses new tools of genomics in combination with biochemical physiology to systematically explore mitochondrial function in health and in disease.  They focus on rare, monogenic syndromes as well as common diseases.  The long-term goal of the lab is to develop predictive models of mitochondrial physiology that can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of human diseases. Hats off to Dr. Vamsi Mootha.

Read more about Mitochondria in "Molecular Expressions - Cell Biology and Mircoscopy Structure and Function of Cells and Viruses"
Follow the link: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/mitochondria/mitochondria.html