The etymological origin of the term mitochondria that concerns us now we have to establish that it derives from Greek. Specifically, it is the result of the union of two lexical components of said language:
-The word "myths", which can be translated as "thread".
-The word "khondros", which is synonymous with "granule".
Likewise, it is interesting to know that this term was coined at the end of the 19th century. Specifically, it was in 1898 when a German zoologist named Carl Benda (1857 – 1932) gave it shape. However, previously this biological term was called sarcosomes in 1850 by the biologist Albert von Köler (1817 – 1905) and even bioblasts. This was the word used in 1890 by the German histologist Richard Altmann (1852 – 1900).
To understand the concept of mitochondria, it is essential to immerse yourself in the field of biology .
Mitochondria, in this framework, are organelles present in eukaryotic cells (that is, in those that have DNA protected by a membrane in a differentiated nucleus). In these functional and structural units, cellular respiration develops, which is the process through which the degradation of various organic compounds occurs.
This biochemical reaction that takes place in the mitochondria causes these compounds to transform into inorganic elements, providing energy to the cell in the form of adenosine triphosphate .
Mitochondria measure between 0.5 and 8 microns. Although they are elastic and usually fuse or fragment, they are usually represented as elongated units, surrounded by two membranes : an internal one (which does not have pores and has a high amount of proteins) and an external one (with porins , which are proteins that They act like pores). Between the two is the so-called intermembranous space , while the mitochondrial matrix and the cytosol are other areas of these organelles.
It is also important to know that at the level of chemical composition, mitochondria are made up of mitochondrial RNA molecules, ribosomes, DNA molecules (double-stranded and circular), enzymes and even phosphate and calcium ions.
Regarding these aforementioned enzymes, it must be stated that among them are those that are necessary to be able to develop the Krebs cycle and also, for example, those that are essential for the replication, translation and transcription of the so-called mitochondrial DNA.
Mitochondria must be found, for example, in cardiac cells, since they are necessary for the proper movement of the heart. However, they are also very present in the sperm, since they help provide them with the necessary energy to move and reach the egg.
When there is a problem in a protein found in the mitochondria, a disorder is generated that is part of the group of mitochondrial diseases . Experts have recorded nearly one hundred and a half problems of this type that can lead to multiple damages.