peolorat t1_ir9nte7 wrote
Wait, I thought our chromosomes contained the DNA to build everything in a cell, including mitochondria. Are you telling me that mitochondria is actually a separate system on the side? So how are new mitochondria produced when a cell divides?
Parazeit t1_ir9s7nu wrote
Mitochondria divide and multiply independently within a cell. When the cell undergoes mitosis, some mitochondria stay in the mother cell and some go with the daughter cell.
Arcal t1_irbo4of wrote
It's a whole separate life cycle linked, but independent. They're constantly dividing like bacteria (but in a way that's initiated by the parent cell) and fusing together. Over time, damaged mitochondria accumulate and are selectively degraded.
They (still) have their own DNA, their own DNA replication, repair, transcription and translational machinery to make proteins. Interestingly, the proteins they make start with the same amino acid that bacterial ones do, so, if you get an injury that releases a lot of mitochondria into your circulation, your immune system recognises it as an infection. This can kill you.
TheGreat_War_Machine t1_ircj6w1 wrote
Mitochondria used to be separate organisms, but were integrated into other single celled organisms to make eukaryotes. The mitochondria still have their own DNA, and that DNA is passed down during cell division.
Babies inherit the same mitochondria that their mothers have, which can be detrimental if the mother has a preexisting mitochondrial disorder.
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