Question

What can damage mitochondria?

Answer 1

The eukaryotic cells consist of a well-organized prominent nucleus along with the membrane-bound cell organelles. Mitochondria is a double -membraned organelle consisting of its own DNA and proteins.

Complete answer:
Mitochondria are cylindrical or sausage in structure and double membranous organelles which are distributed in the cytoplasm. It is surrounded by two membranes designated as outer and inner membranes. A matrix lies inside the inner membrane. The matrix contains a single circular dsDNA molecule, a few RNA molecules, 70S ribosomes, and the components required for the synthesis of proteins. Mitochondria also are referred to as semi-autonomous cell organelles due to their capability of self-duplication by the presence of DNA. The mitochondria are found to be damaged by certain drugs, toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, medicines, stress, or deficiencies of nutrients. These may lead to the abnormal increase in the size of mitochondria or may also prevent them from performing their functions. It is also seen that as the age of the person is increased the cell organelles including mitochondria tend to get damaged due to the presence of certain diseases. If the mitochondria get damaged then it will result in the malfunctioning or stopping of cell functioning due to low ATP production.

Additional information:
-Mitochondria exists in many shapes, it exhibits the phenomenon of pleomorphism.
-The finger-like projections called cristae are found inside the inner lining of the mitochondrial membrane that results in increasing the surface area for absorption.
-The cristae consist of F1 or F0 particles also called oxysomes.
-The other name of mitochondria is called the chondriome of a cell and are known as the powerhouses of the cell.
-The mitochondrial DNA is always inherited from the female parent and includes some forms of hearing impairment and diabetes in a few conditions which are associated with DNA that are found in the mitochondria.

Note:
The amount of mitochondria in a cell depends on how much energy that cell needs to produce. Muscle cells, for instance, have many mitochondria because they have to supply energy to maneuver the body. Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to other cells, have none; they are not got to produce energy.