Anatomy

Mitochondria

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)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

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)

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Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Mitochondrion
  • Mitochondrial Contraction
  • Contraction, Mitochondrial
  • Contractions, Mitochondrial
  • Mitochondrial Contractions

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing 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

MeSH Record

History Note

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

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A11w.284w.430w.214w.190.875w.564w
  2. A11w.284w.835.626w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 360

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Mitochondria. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D008928. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D008928
  2. Mitochondria. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitochondria
  3. Mitochondria. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39572