Cellular Biology and Mitochondrial DNA

Study Notes

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a circular, double-stranded molecule found inside mitochondria
mtDNA is inherited solely from mother to child, as only egg cells contribute mitochondria to the zygote
Human mtDNA consists of approximately 16,500 base pairs, encoding 37 genes
mtDNA mutations can cause various diseases, including mitochondrial myopathies and neurodegenerative disorders

Cellular respiration is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose
It involves three stages: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation
Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular respiration, as they are the site of oxidative phosphorylation
During oxidative phosphorylation, energy from NADH and FADH2 is used to generate ATP through the electron transport chain

Mitochondria are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell, as they generate most of the cell's energy in the form of ATP
The energy-producing process in mitochondria involves the electron transport chain, which generates a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane
This gradient is used to drive the production of ATP through the process of chemiosmosis
Mitochondria can produce ATP through two main mechanisms: oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level phosphorylation

Mitochondrial dynamics refer to the processes of mitochondrial fusion, fission, and movement
Mitochondrial fusion allows for the exchange of mitochondrial contents and the formation of a network of interconnected mitochondria
Mitochondrial fission is the process by which mitochondria divide into smaller units, allowing for the removal of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria
Mitochondrial movement is crucial for the distribution of mitochondria throughout the cell and for the regulation of cellular energy metabolism
Mitochondrial dynamics are important for maintaining mitochondrial function and preventing the accumulation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria.

Mitochondrial DNA is a circular, double-stranded molecule with approximately 16,500 base pairs, encoding 37 genes.
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited solely from mother to child due to the maternal contribution of mitochondria to the zygote.

Cellular respiration is a three-stage process generating energy from glucose: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.
Mitochondria are the site of oxidative phosphorylation, where energy from NADH and FADH2 is used to generate ATP through the electron transport chain.

Mitochondria are the primary site of ATP production in the cell, generating energy through the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.
The electron transport chain generates a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, driving ATP production.
Mitochondria produce ATP through two main mechanisms: oxidative phosphorylation and substrate-level phosphorylation.

Mitochondrial dynamics involve mitochondrial fusion, fission, and movement.
Mitochondrial fusion allows for the exchange of mitochondrial contents and the formation of interconnected mitochondria.
Mitochondrial fission enables the removal of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria by dividing into smaller units.
Mitochondrial movement is crucial for distributing mitochondria throughout the cell and regulating cellular energy metabolism.
Mitochondrial dynamics maintain mitochondrial function and prevent the accumulation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria.

Mitochondrial DNA is a separate genetic material from nuclear DNA and is circular and double-stranded.
In humans, mtDNA consists of 16,569 base pairs and is present in multiple copies per mitochondrion.
mtDNA encodes 13 proteins involved in energy production and 24 RNA molecules (tRNAs and rRNAs).

Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, generating energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
Cellular respiration involves three stages: glycolysis, citric acid cycle, and electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
The citric acid cycle and electron transport chain take place in the mitochondria, producing ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

The electron transport chain pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, generating a proton gradient.
ATP synthase uses this gradient to generate ATP from ADP and Pi.
The energy yield from one glucose molecule is 36-38 ATP molecules.

Mitochondrial dynamics refer to the processes of mitochondrial fission, fusion, and motility.
These processes are regulated by various proteins and signaling pathways.
Mitochondrial dynamics are implicated in cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell signaling, and mitochondrial quality control.