Mitochondria are tiny organelles found in every cell in the body except red blood cells. The number of mitochondria in a cell varies by tissue and cell type with higher numbers per cell found in high energy-requiring organs, such as the liver, heart, brain, muscles, pancreas, eyes, ears, kidney, and GI tract.
- Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouse of the cell.”
- Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90 percent of cellular energy which is necessary for the body to sustain life and support growth.
- Mitochondria turn nutrients into cellular energy in the respiratory chain cycle.
- Mitochondria have their own independent genome (mitochondrialRelated to the mitochondria. DNA or mtDNA) that was likely derived from early bacteria.
- Mitochondrial failure causes cell injury that leads to cell death. When multiple organ cells die, organs begin to fail.
