mitochondrion

mitochondrion definition - medical

mi·to·chon·dri·on (mīˌtə-kŏnˈdrē-ən)

noun pl. mi·to·chon·dri·a (-drē-ə)
A spherical or elongated organelle in the cytoplasm of nearly all eukaryotic cells, containing genetic material and many enzymes important for cell metabolism, including those responsible for the conversion of food to usable energy. It consists of two membranes: an outer smooth membrane and an inner membrane arranged to form cristae.

Related Forms:

  • miˌto·chonˈdri·al (-drē-əl) adjective

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mitochondrion

cutaway view

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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