Particles ofcytoplasm found in most respiring cells. They syn-thesize most of the cell’s adenosine triphosphate andare the chief energy sources of living cells. They arehighly plastic, mobile structures that may fragmentor fuse together at random. Many enzymes, espe-cially those involved in converting food-derivedenergy into a form usable by the cell, are locatedin the mitochondria, and DNA molecules have alsobeen found there. Yeast is a particularly rich sourceof mitochondria for research purposes. The com-plex organelle found in most eukaryotes is believedto be descended from free-living bacteria that estab-lished a symbiotic relationship with a primitiveeukaryote.
Mitochondria are structures within the cytoplasm of cells
of plants and animals which are responsible for aerobic
respiration. Mitochondria synthesize most of the cell's
adenosine triphosphate, and are the chief energy sources
of living cells. They vary in shape, size and number but
are normally oval or sausage-shaped and bounded by two
membranes, the inner one being folded into finger-like
projection.
Mitochondria contain their own DNA called
mitochondria1 DNA. Mitochondria are the most
numerous cells with a high level of metabolic activity.
They are highly plastic, mobile structures which
fragment or fuse together at random. Many enzymes,
especially those involved in converting food-derived
energy into a form usable by the cell, are located in the
mitochondria and DNA molecules.
Yeast is a particularly rich source of mitochondria
for research purposes.
